U i-XXI-No. 3.
Assembly Proceedings
Official Report
Bengal Legislative Assembly
Second Session, 1946
The 12th, 13th, 14th^ 16th, 47th, 18th, 19th, 20th,
21st, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th
September, 1946
covimiwuiT or iiiicAL.
GOVERNOtt OF BENGAL.
Hi» Excellency Sir Febi.ehick John Bcbeows, o.c.i.b.
MEMBERS OF THE COI NCIL OF MINISTERS.
Department .
Si^'De^Amer::^^ « "He'airrn.l L«c
Self-Gotenunent. ,
Eam'uou Dep:'Cn^'*”ml oMlirbeSr^nt
Land and Land Revenue.
'^'‘%?Judiciu“and‘L™a*^
of Works and Buildings.
(6) The Hon-hlo Mr. Anmt. GornaN, Minister in charge of the Depa
ment of Civil Supplies.
'^'‘i„“;ha!Je ?f"tl^“D%ttmen^«T
^nd of the iCrtmen of Irrigation and II atenvays.
„ ,, 1 T^_ <<if4\isri)DiN Ahmki), Minister in charge of
BENGAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
pal officers of the BENGAL LEGISLATl
ASSEMBLY.
Spxakeb.
The Hon’ble Mr. Nrm i. Amin.
Deputy Spbakee.
TaFaeexl Ali, Esq., Advocate,
Secubtaet.
[. Au Ami.. Esq.. BAWUsm-aT-LAW.
fnusr Asbistaht Sbceitaey.
ttAMi Aif Esa-t E.tv :v
THE BENGAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS
Offleiai R«^ ^ tM iMMtf
Votunif LXXI<~lio. 3.
Proceedings of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled
under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935.
Tmk Assi>;mhly met in the Assembly House, (’alevitta, on Thursday, tbs
*th Sei»temher, 194(>, at 4-dO p.in.
Present:
Mr. Si»eakt*r (the Hon’hle Mr, Nrari. Amin) in the ('hair, 8 Hon'ble
inislers and 223 meml)er8.
STARRED QUESTKWS
(to which oral answers vrere given)
Functions and finances of the Asansol Mine’s Board of Health.
*20. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: (a) Will Uie Hon'ble Minister in
large of tlie Dejiartnieut of TleuUh and ImkuI Solf-Hovcrnment be pleased
state tile aiiir)unt of uionov collected, year by year, Hinee 1942, lor iinauo*
g the Asansol Mine's Hoard of Health —
(/) from the cess levied on the coal mine-owners; and
(//) from tlie cess levied on the Royalty receivers?
(6) Will the Ilon’hle Minister he pleased to state —
(f) what are the functions of the Asansol Mine’s Boaul of Health;
(ii) whether tliere is any provision in the Ae,t creating the Asansol
Mine's Hoard (»f Health for the appointment of a representative
of the miners in the said Board ;
(ill) whether there is anv such representative in the present Board; if
not, why not; and
(ii*) wliot is the i>ercentage of official and nominated members aa com-
pared with non-oincial members in the said Hoard?
Mr. B. A. BAtlM (on Nhtlf of tN Hon’bit Mr. Moteammod All): (a)
Amount of cess
Amount of cess
Yearn.
levied on the
levied on the
coal mine-owners.
Royalty receivers.
Rs.
Ils.
194M2
99,435
16,600
194243
1,01,007
14,925
194844
1,40,731
20,953
194445
1,62,6^
26,058
194546
1,77,647
30,809
The fnnctio]i of the Aaaiiaol Mine’s Bomd ol Health is to nrovide
r tM better control and sanitation of Hie mining settlements
rtidictmii. In fMurtienlar the Board his to fHovide for the
t
QUESTIONS.
[12th Sept.,
Il|t 9 red, boiled or other watef, for aanitation and conservancy, for housing^
OT rwidents and has to exercise, consistent with the objecte of the Bengral
Mining Settlements Act, such other functions as are calculated to
prevent the outbreak or spread of dangerous epidemic disease as the Local
Government may by general or special order direct.
(H) No.
(til) No; because there is no provision for the purpose in the Bengal
Mining Settlements Act, 1912, or in the rules thereunder.
(tv) per cent.
Mr. DEBENORA NATH SEN: Will the ITon'ble Minister be pleased
^ steps have actually been taken by the Asansol Miiie.s’ Board
of Health for providing filtered, boiled or other water for sanitation and
conservancy and for the housing of residents in this Mining Settlement?
Mfa 8t A* SALIM: All possible steps have been taken by the Asansol
Mines’ Board of Health regarding these matters, namely, sanitation, con-
servancy, etc.
DEBENORA NATH SEN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
to state since when is this Board functioning?
Mf. S« A. SALIM: Since tbe passing of the Act in 1912.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Will the Ilon’ble Minister be pleased
to state if it was formed then or subsequently?
Mr. S. A. SALIM: Subsequently.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN. In which year?
Mr. SPEAKER: Please put your que.stion in proper form.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN; Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
U> state when was tlus Board formed, and after its formation what amount
of money has been spent for the betterment of the housing accommodation
of the people ('omlng within this Mining Settlement?
Mr. S. A. SALIM: 1 want notice.
YiMd of paddy por aero in oortain subdivioions of Jaipaiguri distriot.
Mr. KHAGENDRA NATH DAS GUPTA: Will the Hon’ble
Minister lu charge of the Finance Department be pleased to state —
(а) what is the actual average yield of paddy per acre in the Sadar and
Alipur subdivisions respectively of Jalpaiguri district;
(б) what is Uio average yield of paddy per acre in the Western Duars
(Alipur Duur subdivi.sion and about half of Sadar subdivision) as
calculated in the Mukherjee Settlement Report, 1932-34; and
(c) what is tbe yield per acre fixed by the —
(i) Agricultural Income-tax Department for Jalpaiguri distriot for
assessment purpose,
(ti) on what data this has been calculated or fixed, and
(nt) at what rate. agricultural income-tax is being realised from the
agrioultuiists of Jalpaiguri district?
. TIM M0B*Wi Mr. MOHAMMED ALI. (a) The average yield per acre for
Is 21 ma n n ds for the district of Jalpaiguri as a wnole diuing
IS^ B.8. Nc separate figures of such yimd for the Sadar or the
Alipur subdivision are readily uvaBaDle.
s
|l 946 .] questions.
(b) Average yield per acre of aman paddy —
Area.
Dahia
Sahari
f —A
— A-.— .
Md.
Sr.
Md.
Sr.
(i) Ambari Falakata
oo
. . .
30
{it) Mainaguri Tahsil
... 24
24
17
12
{ni) Falakata Tahsil
... 21
18
14
16
{iv) Alipur Duar Tahsil
... 20
15
13
22
(r) Bhalka Tahsil
... 19
;i2
11
;i2
(<•) (0 21 luaunda of aman paddy.
(ji) On the hasia of the normal yield adopted in the lleport of the Land
Revenue ('onimiasion and subject to the final forecast of the Director of
Agriculture for 1JMJM4,
(Hi) As specified in the schedule to the Bengal Agricultural Income-tojc
Act, 11)44 (vide section 8 of the Act).
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon’hle Minister he pleased
to state the minimum yield in the nreas mentioned in answer
ih) (I) (ii) (m) (tv) {r)Y
Th« Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 am afraid 1 cannot give you the
minimum or the maximum figures offhand. These are the average figures
of the whole yeor.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Uon ble Minister be pleased
to state whether in view of the fact that the agricultural income-tax is
expected to be assessed on the actual in<x)me of the agriculturists, does he
think it de.sirable to issue directions to the Agricultural Income Tax Othcers
not to depend on the average yield, but to nnd out the actmil yield in the
areas where assessment is made?
Th« Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Yes, Sir. Not only do 1 consider
it desirable, but I may state for your information that a cintular to that
effect has already been issued by the Commissioner of Agricultural Income-
Tax, to all Agricultural Inoome-Tax Officers saying that they should not
depend on the average yield as reported by the Agricultural authorities as
basis, or as found in the statistical report, but to go on the basis of the
actual yield. 1 think this circular was issued on the 27th June this year.
Mr. Ni8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the HooTde Minister be
pleased to state if this circular will liave o retrospective effei^t in regard to
the income-tax already assessed for the Bengali year 1350?
Thi Hoii’M Mr. MDHAMMED ALI: I am afraid I cannot reply off-
hand, as the implication of the circular, whether it will have o retrospective
effect or not, is a matter of opinion, but I can say that the circular was
issued on the 27th June this year, and all assessment pending on that date
will be governed by that circular.
Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state whether the decision of Government to direct the Agricultural
Income-Tax OflBcers to assess on the actual yield, will also be for Die benefit
of all the assessees who have already been assessed before that circular was
issued?
^ Mr. SPEAKER: Tlcat question has already been answered.
Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: No, Sir.
I QUESTIONS. [12th S*pt.,
Mr. SPEAKER: Your previous question was whether the circular will
have a retrospective effect and whether it will be to the benefit of all the
assessees for the year 1350. That question has been answered. You cannot
put the same question over again.
Ml*. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: This is a separate question. I have
asM the IJoii’ble Minister this time to consider whether, in view of the
decision taken by Government, namely, tliat actual yield will be the basis
of assessment, they are going to extend the lienefit of this decision to those
assessees who liave already been assessed before this circular was issued.
Mr. SPEAKER: The que.stiun lias now l)een modified. It mav be
answered.
Th0 Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am afraid, I cannot reply off-
hand, betause its implication has an effect on the revenue which Government
have already collected. So, 1 am .sorry, 1 mnnol give an offhand reply.
Allotment of epimfles to existing mills for their expansion.
^22. Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: (a) Will the Hon'hle Minister in
diarge of the Department of Coininerce, Labour and Industries l)e pleased to
itate what is the quantity of new spindleage allocated In' the Government of
India to Bengal?
(5) If the quantity is not adequate tor the iummIs of Bengal, will the
Kon'ble Minister be pleasinl to state what action Government have taken to
lecure the nei^essary quota of spindleage for B(‘ngal ?
(c) Will the llon’hle Minister la* jilcascd to state —
(1) Government’s estimate of tin* nMinirenient of cloth tor Bengal .stating
the Iwsis of calculation ;
(7i) how many new textile mills huNe the Goserinnent recommended for
establish men t in Bengal ;
(ui) what are the nuiiios of the.se new mills and what (luantity of spindle-
age has l)een allotted to eaeh of them;
(iv) whii'h are the existing textile mills to which new spindleage has
Iwen allotted;
(r) wdiat is the quantity allotted to each of them;
(W) what is the basis of this allotment : and
(rtV) whether licenses for the importation ot textile machinery have Wen
issued to those new mills which Govern inent have recommended
for alhdmeiit of new sjdndleage: it not, wdiy not?
MINISTER in oherge of the DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE, LABOUR
and INDUSTRIES (the Hon’ble Mr. Shamsudilin Ahmed): {a) 325,000
spindles : both for the expansion of the existing (‘otton mills and the
establishment of new mills.
(/>) The matter has already Wen taken up with the Outral Government
through ordinarv channel of corres|H)ndence and by j^rsonal contai t w ith the
officers of that Government.
(c)(i) 1,2^15 million yard.s annually for the Bengal (including Assam)
Deficit Zone as calculated by the Post-War Planning ('ommittee (Textiles)
set uj) by the Central Government on the basis of per capita requirement of
16*6 yards. Separate figures for Bengal are n(d available.
(fi) to (r) A statement is plac4*d on the Library Table.
(ci) Hecommendation was made with due regard to the immediate
requirements of the eligible parties, allowing .scoim* for future expansion on
the return of nonnal times when the price-level of machinery expected to is
come down, preference being given to existing mills to reach economic units.
(vu) License^ are Wing issued by the Central Government.
T
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH OHAUDHURY: Will th« Hon’ble
MiDi8t6r 1)6 pleased to state how nuiny of these spindles have been to
the Hindus and how many to the Muslims—both Hen^rali and non-Bengali F
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE* The statement* Sir, is »<iid to have been
E laced on the Library table. I have searched for it and it is not on the
ibrary table.
Mr* SPEAKER* It must be there. ILnwever, I will make an enquirv
and let you know.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is it then held
over, Sir.^
Mr, SPEAKER: No. >ou may put your question. Hut may I know in
the meantime whether any member has seen such a statement on the Libmry
table y
Mr. JASIMUDDIN AHMED: Sir, 1 was in the Library, and I (H)uld
not find any.
Mr. SPEAKER: In that (“ase the question is hehl over.
Lawy«r*Magi8tratei,
*23. Mr. FAZLUL QADiR: Ui) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge
of the Home Deiwitinent Ih‘ pleased to state —
(/) whether the attention of the (iovernmeut has Imhui drawn to page bl,
paragraph of the Howland (.'ommit tee’s Hei)ort on the workings
of the liawycr-Magistrates;
(n) whether it is a fact that laiwyer-Magistrates aie cmpbi>ed exclusively
for the tiiul of criminal cases; and
(tn) whether the attention of the (loveinment has Wn draw'n to the
editorial comments of the Cahmtta Weekly Notex apjiearing in
its issue dated the 10th June, 1940, regarding the Lawyer-
Magi.strates ?
(b) If the answer to (o) is in the affirmative, will the lion’ble Ministei:
be pleased to state what is the [sjsition and proH[)ect in service of the laiwyor-
Magistrates recruited so farF
(c) Does the Government intend to give effect to the provisions relating
to promotion of l/uw ver-Magistrates as indicated hy the Howland (/omruitteo
in its recommendations in paiagiaph dlf) apiiearing at jiage fFJ of the
Report ?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM (on behalf of tho Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Buhrawardy):
(a) Yes.
{h) and (c) The matter is under consideration.
iRifirovement of bustee areas in Caloutta and its suburba.
*24. Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERJEE: fn) Will the Hon’hle
Minister in charge of the Local Self-Government Department lie pleased to
afate whether it is u fact —
(i) that the present condition of bmteei in Calcutta and its suburbs is
horrible ;
(ii) that the huHee$ are overcongested ;
Hit) that the roads therein are very narrow, insufficient in number and
very badly Imilt;
(tr) that the lighting arrangement is quite inadequate;
QUESTIONS.
[12th Sept.,
(r) that, compared to the population, the number of latrines is very
few and even those that are there are not properly cleansed ; and
(vi) that the poor people in the hustees even do not get sufficient water to
drink r
(h) If the answer to {a) be in the affirmative, will the Hon^ble Minister
be pleased to state what steps he proposes to take in the near future with a
view to improve their condition ana make them fit for human beings to dwell?
(c) Has the attention of the Hon’ble Minister been drawn to a speech
delivered by Mr. I. Khan, Engineer. Calcutta Improvement Trust, on July
11, 1940, at the Baker Laboratory, Presidency College, in which he referred
to the scheme of the Calcutta Improvement Trust for a long-term scdution
of the bustee problem?
(d) Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state —
(i) what is this scheme;
(u) when actual work as per scheme is likely to be started; and
(til) when it is likely to be finished?
The Hon’llie Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: (a)ii) I think everj' member of
ibis House is well aware of the conditions under which people live in huxiees
and in most cases the condition of the hustees is bad.
(?/) Generally the density of population is veiy^ high.
{in) In some cases mf'ans of access into a hustee is bad and in some cases
non-existent.
(it;) In most cases the lighting arrangement is inade(iuate.
(t) In some cases tliere are insufficient latrines and in some cases the
existing latrines are dirty and require repair.
{vi) In Borne cases there is an inade<|uate water supply.
(6) Steps are being taken under the Bengal Slum Improvement Act, 194(5,
to improve the worst hustees in the city.
(c) Yes.
(d) {i) The (Calcutta Improvement Trust were re(iuested bv His Excellency
Mr. (^asey t4> submit long-term proposals for tlie elimination of the hustees
from Calcutta and the plans submitted by the Trust generally consisted of
the making of satellite towns in the vicinity of the city for rehousing persons
displaced by busters which will be demolished.
(it) Government ore considering this and other schemes and may be in a
position shortly to give a definite answer.
Uii) It is not jMissible to make a forecast at this stage. The magnitude
of the task can be gauged by the fact that nearly 10 lakhs people live in
hustees in this city.
Mr. SURESH CHANDRA BANERJEE: Will the Hon’ble Minister be
pleased to state when the Calcutta Impnivement Trust submitted its proposals
for the elimination of the hustees from Calcutta to His Excellency
Mr. Casey ?
Tha Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I am afraid I do not know
and I do not know as well whether it was ever submitted or not.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Pending any
decision on the bustee improvement scheme, will the Hon’ble Minister he
pleased to state what steps the 0<ivernment are taking for the immediate
improvement of the condition of the busteOvS?
Th# Han’Mt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: We are taking immediate steps
and I outlined our policy in this regard some time ago. It is this. We
1946.]
QUESTIONS.
7
have allotted under our Post-War Eeoonatruciion Scheme a eum of Rs. 16
lakhs for the improvement of the condition of the people living in bustees;
not only for the improvement of existing bustees but also for buildings^
tenements and flats for the purpose of bustee dwellers. We have taken up
the matter in right earnest and we have propt)8al8 for ttcquiriug certain lands
80 that some time towards the end of this year or beginning of next year we
may take up the building scheme. For the "present we tdiall take up two
schemes ond we shall have these two schemes working simultaneously.
Members are also aware that we propose setting up a Mousing Hoard. As
soon as it is constituted, all matters relating to the housing of bustee
dwellers and housing of middle class families will be made over to the
Housing Board. If will be a non-official lH>dy. It will have representatives
of experts and it wdll have Government otficials. Ah jHK)n as tnot Board is
constituted, the matter will be made over to it. But in order not to allow
grass to grow over our feet, we are not waiting for the tonstitution of the
Board. We have taken up the matter in hand and before the financial year
closes, our scheme will be rejidy for operation.
Mr. MUHAMMAD RAFIQUE: Is the lioiride Minister aware that
nothing can he done unless the Calcutta Municipal Act, especially tlM)se
portions which deal with the im(>r(iveiueiit of bustees, is amended?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: So far as the Bengal Slum
Improvement Act is concerned 1 know' that the Act is defective and there is
a lacuna in the Act. Under the provisions of that Ai’.t we (an ask the
owners of bustees to make improvement in bustees, but there is no provision
in the A(‘t to ensure that the benefits of such improvement will go to the
dwellers of bustees. If tlie binstees are improved, it is (piite open to the
owners to dehouso or evict the present tenants and give the benefit of the
improvement to others, AVe are thinking wheiiier it w'ould he advisable to
amend or revise the existing Bengal Slum Improvement Act or to have a
different legislation in order to set up a Housing Board. It is under the
examination of Government. It may he that instead of an amending Act we
shall come up with a proposal for housing bjgislation which may be of a
comprehensive nature.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: AVill the Hon ble
Minister be pleased to state w'hether he is aware that during the Calcutta
riots the bustee people suffered most and that in many cases the entire
bustees were burnt down? What steps are being taken to house the refugee
bustee people?
The Hofl'blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am aware of the (condition of
the bustee people described by the honourable member. The matter has also
been taken up. There are certain places which were cx^mpletely gutted and
they are now vacant plots of land. We liave proposals to ac(]uire some of
them so that we can build on them. We have propowds to put up tem-
porary structures on the vacant lands so that we can house people who have
become homeless.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble
Minister be pleased to state whether he is aware that the landlords took the
advantage of the recent riots to oust the bustee people by a wholesale murder
of those people?
Mr. BREAKER: That is a matter of opinion.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Does the Mon’ble Minister consider the
estimate of Its. 15 lakhs as quite meagre and inadequate?
The H0ii*bl« Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I admit that a sum ol Ha. 15
kkhs is inadequate for this purpose but this is given only as an initial
s
QUESTIONS.
[12th Sept.,
measure. We have provided fifteen lakhs for this year and we hope to
provide something more and a still more substantial amount in the next
year's budget.
Mr. BIMAl. COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state what is the estimate of cx)st of the long-term proposals submitted by
the Calcutta Improvement Trust?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: There are lots of proposals which
have been submitted. Some of them relate to the improvement of existing
buflt^H. There is a scheme for the improvement of the Singhibagan bustees
costing ten lakhs of rupees. The Trust has asked for a subsidy and we liave
sanctioned six liikhs, or, to he more precise, Hs. 5,90,000 to the Calcutta
Improvement Tnist for the improvement of that bustee. They have submit-
ted from time to time several schemes and one of the schemes is a satellite
town near the city that runs into crores, I do not know to which p^rriicular
scheme the honourable member has referred.
Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: Is the IJon’ble Minister aware of the
fact that His Kxcellency Mr. It. (1. {’asey, the then Governor of Bengal,
gave an assurance to the people of (kdciitta that ever\ thing was going to be
set right within six months, and if that was not done, they would have the
right to enquire from the Government as b> what hid been done? Will tlie
Hon’ble Minister be pleased to .say as to what has happened t-f» that
assurance?
Th0 Hon'blt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I do not know whether His
Excellency Mr. Casey gave any such assurani'e, viz., tliat things will be put
right within a period of six months, but I tnay tell the honourable member
that after Mr. (’asey’s attention was drawn to the horrible (ondition of tin*
bustees, he did take pjirticular interest in the matter and as a result of that,
we have the Bengal Slum Improvement Act which was piisscd, I think,
during the section 9d regime. A Bill was prepared in advance when the last
Ministry was in office, but it could not be put through the liCgislature. So,
the Governor under special jHiwers enacted this legislation and Mr. Casey
left cerUiin notes and efforts are being made to implement the assurance
which was given by Mr. Casey.
Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: Has an> other improvement been made
with the exception of the Slum Clearance Bill acconling to the assurance
of the then Governor?
Tbf Hon’bl0 Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: AVbat other assuram-e does the
honourable member refer to?
Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: Has any other effort been made to
improve the bustees with the exception that >oii have pre|>ared a Bill?
Th« Hon’bit Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I do not know whether the
luuiourable memlier was juiving any attention to what I said earlier. I liave
outlined our policy and outlined some of our schemes which we have taken
up and the.se will certainly go towards the improvement *of the condition of
the bustees,
Mr. ANANDILAL PODDAR: What I wanted particularly to know' from
the Hon’lde Minister is whether with the exception of publishing a Bill, the
bustees have at all been actually improved, though after looking at the
bustees the Governor of Bengal was borrified. I want to know w hether the
borrifieation stB\ exists or wnat actual impwnements have been made in tbe
bustees. That is wbat I would like to know.
Tbi Hon’blt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I may tell the honourable member
at the outset that I am not very muoh concern^ with whether the previous
QUESTIONS.
im]
%
Governor g^ve an assurance or not. We ourselves feel that there is uecea*
aitv for the improvement of bustees and we have taken the matter up in
right earnest. We have got our scheme. We not only want to take it up
ourselves but we propose to constitute a Board which will take up tlw
responsibility for impioving the existing bustees and for provision of better
facilities for housing of the poor and middle class families.
Mr. DEBI PR08AD KHAITAN: Have Government been pleased to
publish the report of the ('alcutta Improvement Trust F If they have not
yet done it, are they tH)nsidering the ilesirahility of publishing this scheme
to enable the public to express their opinion almut the efficiency or other
merits and demerits of the sidieme prejnired bv the Calcutta Improvement
Trust?
The HOfl’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Mr. Khnitan is a big capitalist
and industrialist. lie knows that it is not jM)sslhle to give details or other
particulars of the schemes which are under examinatinn l>y Government. It
will appear too obvious why 1 cauiu»t ilivulge our scheme or state parti-
culars. We propose to start our building oi)enitions. We do not want
speculation in laml prices or value of land in certain arwis to ao up. These
reiisoiKs will he upiiarcut to Mr. Khaitan and we canimt publish them in
advance.
Mr. DEBI PR08AD KHAITAN: We did not expect that the Hon’hle
Minister would suddenly rusli into speculation. AVlnit I want Iki know is
whether a general idea of the scheme of the Calcutta Improvement Trust
has been puhlished or not, otherwise how is it jxissihle for the public to
express uu opinion as to what should Imj done and wluit should not he done.
It is not a question of speculation in hind or hind values.
Mr. 8PEAKER: 1 th ink that (piestion luis already been answered
hec4iuse the lloirhle Minister has S4ii<l that a Board is going tx) he set up and
the Boiird will consi<ler these matters and it the Board think of publishing
the scheme, 1 think they will do tluit.
Mr, DEBI PR08AD KHAITAN: What you have been plfMised to state
has not been stated hv the llou’hle Minister tlwit the llousiiig Board will
have these matters under considemtioii.
The Hon’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: I said that all matters will ixmie
up before the Housing Board.
Mr, BIMAL COMAR CH08E: With relerence to answer (r/)(//), will
the Hou’hle Miiii.ster he pleosed to state whether the “other schemes’' that
he refers therein have been prepared by the department c-onfH*rned only or
in consultation with experts called in from outside?
Tht Hoil’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Other experts have not yet been
callwl in. We have received help from the Calcutta Improvement Trust and
also from the Calcutta Corfsiratioii and we have not yet called in any
experts. We may perhap.s invite experts from outside the province or out-
side this (suintry, if necessary.
Mr, BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: In view of the an.swer given, will the
Hoirble Mini.ster be pleased to state if he will cxjusider the desirability of
consulting the liegislature before putting this .scheme into actual operatw>n ?
The HOfl’bto Mr, MOHAMMED ALIf No, Sir. We i^nmt plarx» all
our 'administrative propoiwils before the liegislature. The liegislntiire is not
an administrative lx)dy. The Ministry enjoys the confidence of the liegis-
lature. At least as long as it is in office, it enjoys the oonfttlence o! the
liegislature. Therefore any action of the Ministry is to \>e assumed to have
the approval of the House. In matters of administrative details, we cannot
oome up to the Legislature for approval and that will be apparent to fbe
honourable member.
10
QUESTIONS.
The Bengal Fire Benrioe at Feni.
[12th Sept*,
*25. Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: (a) Is the
Hon’ble Minister in charge of the Local Self-Government Department aware —
(i) that Feni was the most heavily bombed town in Bengal, and the
personnel of Feni Fire Service served the Government for more
than three years during emergencies of utmost gravity fighting fire
at times of severe bombing and occasional accidents;
(ii) that Feni Fire Semce is now going to be disbanded though Fire
Services of Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Akhaura and other places
are going to be retained; and
(m) that Feni is a junction station, there is a college at Feni, and it has
greater strategic importance than many towns w'ith fire stations?
(h) If the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, does the Hon’ble Minister
f ropose to reconsider the order of disbandment of Feni Fire Service and make
eni fire station a i)ermanent one?
(c) If it is not possible to make the Feni fire station a permanent one is
the Hon’ble Minister considering the desirability of absorbing the Feni Fire
Service x>er8onnel in some other fire station?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM (on behalf of the Hon*ble Mr. Mohammed AH):
ia)(i) Yes; in proportion to its size. The good services of Feni Fire
Brigade are fully recognised by Government.
(m) Yes, but no fire station is laung retained at Akhaura.
(Hi) Feni i.s a railway junction and there is a college there. Its strategic
importance is a mutter of oj)inion.
(h) Feni not being a municipality is not irududed in the scheme for a
permanent Provincial Fire Service.
(r) Orders to this effect have already Wn issued.
Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: Will the
Hon’ble Minister be pleased to sttite how many of the Feni Fire Brigade
personnel liave been absorbe<l in other fire-serving stations?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: I want notice.
Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: Will the
Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state whether there is any proposal to transfer
any fire brigade station to Chauinohani?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: No such proposal is at present with the Government.
Maulvi MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOUDHURY: Will the
Hon'ble Minister be pleiised to state how many fire brigade stations of the
Chittagong Division are going to be retained ?
Mr. I. A. SALIM: I want notice.
Ra p rasantation by amployaaa of Covammant Ration Storoa for inoraaaa of
|My-
*28. (Shoet Notice.) Mr. NI8HITHANATH KUNDU: (a) Will
the Hon’me Minister in charge of the Department of Uivil Supplies be
pleased to state whethei^the coolies, the darwans and the clerks of the
Government Ration Stores have written to the Government demanding
inter alia for increment in their pay and leave provisions?
(b) If the reply to (a) is in the ajfinnative, will the Hon’ble Minister be
pleas^ to state —
{%) what answer has been given to them ; and
(tt) if no answer has been given, the reasons thereof?
QUESTIONS.
11
.ld46.]
(c) Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state what steps the Govern-
tnent propose to take for averting the serious conseiiueuees of the workers
of the Government Ration Stores taking recourse to strike?
Mr. E8KANDER ALI KHAN (on behalf of the Hon*ble Mr. Abdyl
Gofran): («) Yes. A letter, dated 22nd June, 1940, addressed to the
C5ontroller of Rationing by the Secretary, Government Stores Workers*
Union, was received on the 24th June, 1940.
(b) (t) No reply was given.
(ii) Ihe reason for not replying to the letter was that the union has not
been* recognised by the Government yet. The letter was not, however,
ignored.
(c) On careful (consideration Government Imve sanctioned an increase of
R8.4 in the monthly pay of coolies and Rn. 2 in the monthly pay of darwans
of Government Stores,
There are no clerks attached to Governnietit Stores; there are managers
and salesmen of two grades. The question ot the improvement of their pay
and proHi>eCts is under the exuininution of the Directorate of Rationing.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Will the Ilon'hle Minister be pleased
to state if he is aware that during the riots many ration stores have been
looted and the darwans did not function effectively?
Mr. ESKANDAR ALI KHAN: Yes, I am aware of the fact that some
of the ilarwans were aet\uilly murdered and they are being replaced by fresh
appointments.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: In view of the answer just given,
will the Ilon’ble Minister be plwised to sUile if ho will consider the
desirability of getting really strong men and loyal men who stand by their
posts in times of danger by giving them sutficieiit pay?
Mr. HAM I DU DD IN AHMED: Is the question of the honourable
member relevant?
Mr. 8PEAKER: Mr. Sinha does not press it.
Mr. KHAGENDRA NATH DA8 GUPTA: Will ihe liun ble Minister
be pleased to state it Government have also tconsidered the (piestion of leave
provisions, as demanded by the workers?
Mr. E8KANDAR ALI KHAN: That question is receiving the con-
sideration of Government.
Regarding Eubdivisional Controllar of Civil Cuppliot at Darlaoliiig.
*27. Mr. D. 8. GURUNG: Will the lIon*ble Minister in charge of the
Department of Uivil Supplies be pleased to state —
(а) how long the present Subdivisional (Controller of Givil Supplies ha«
been at Darjeeling Sadar bolding the post of Subdivisional Con-
troller of CHvil Supplies;
(б) who was his predecessor;
‘ (c) whetiier it is a fact that some months back be was transferred to
some other district;
(d) whether the transfer order was subsequently cancelled;
(e) the reason for cancellation of the transfer order; and
if) whether the Eon*ble Minister is considering the desirability of his
immediate transfer from the district?
IS QUESTIONS. [12th Sef^,
Mr. ISKANDER ALI KHAN (M bMialf of tho Hofi’blo Mr. Abdul
Oofim): {a) On« year and four months.
(6) There was no Subdivisional Controller of Civil Supplies at Darjeeling
before the present officer was appointed to that post.
(o) Yes in 1946.
(d) Ye».
(e) Bei'uuse the district to which he was posted was his home district.
(/) Yes, it is receiving my attention.
RecruituiMit of Lawyer-Magistratae from different communities.
^28. Mr. AULAD H08SAIN KHAN: (a) Will the lIonTde Minister in
charge of the Chief Minister’s ( Kstabllslnnent ) J)e])artnient be pleased to
lay on the Table a stiitement showing the number of Lawyer-Magistrates
apjM)iiited uj) to the .‘list May, IJMO, showing separately the list of —
(?) Hindus,
(ii) Muslims; and
{Hi) Scheduled ('aste ineiimbent'^y
{b) Will the lloii’ble Minister be pleaseil to stale whether the Communal
Ratio Rules have In'en stri< tly adhered to in the mutter of recruitment of
these Magistrates?
(c) If not, will the llon’ble Minister be please4l to state the reu.sons
therefor?
{(1) Will the Hon’ble Minist«T be jdeased tf> stnt«* whether (joveriiment
{ iropose to absorb them in the i>ermunent ca(ln> as recommended by the
lowlands (’ommitiee?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM (on bofialf of tho Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Suhrawordy):
{a) The number of liUwyer-Magistrates in service on the ‘list May, 194f>,
was 102: made up as under —
(0 Hindus — 47.
(li) Muslims -44.
{Hi) vSeheduled Castes 11.
{b) and (c) The (Vimmunal Ratio Rules have apmrently not lieen observed
on the ground that the re<juired niimlH*r Muslim and Seheiluled Caste
candidates were not available. Steps have been taken rectify the deficiency
and the Public Service Comini-ssion have been asked to sele(‘t the reciuisite
number of Muslim and Sche<luled Caste candidates for the purpose.
(f/) The Rowlands Committee do not apjanir to Imve made any such
recommendation.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state if he is aware that there was a circular from
Governnwnt that Government admitted that the reply received from the
Secretariat sometime ago to the effect that Muslim officers are not available
is not true?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: No; I am not aware of that.
Mr. AULAD HOBBAIN KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
to state whether the required^umber of candidates appeared before the
Public Service Commission? What is the criterioii for judging whether the
candidates are qualified?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: The requisite number of candidates were not
available.
Mr. MIR2A ABDUL HARIZ: Will tbe Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state what is the number of candidates who appeared at the interview?
\m.]
QUESTIONS.
18
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 want notice.
Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL: Wilt the Ilou'ble Mininter be pleaded to
state whether requisite iiuml>er of candidates from the Muslim oommutiiiy
with requisite qualifications appeared Viefori' the Public Service Commission f
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I have nothin^r to add.
AlItgMl Cortminent dirtction for oomiiitatloffi by Diitriot Ofllolals vritb looil
Muslim Leagus Saerotariaa.
*29. Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARIt Will the IWMe the Chief
Minister in charge of the (Miief Minister's ttleiieral Administration) Deiwri-
ment be |deased to state —
(a) whether his attention has Wen drawn to the rejK»rt which a^>|K»ared
in a section of the jiress some time ago to the effect that a directive
had been issued to the Ihstiict and SuIkU visional Officers to
consult the loeal Muslim Leatrnc Secretaries or other ofKce-Wurers
of the Muslim League on all important (piestions ;
(b) whether the information is correct; and
(c) whether any cin ular or instiuctionfi written or verbal, e<»nfidentinl or
open, emanated from an> cpiarter connected with the Govermnent
to this or the similar effect P
Mr. ABDUL KARIM (on bohalf of the Hon’blo Mr. H. 9. Suhrawardy):
(u) Yes.
ib) and (r) No.
Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARl! Will the llon'ble Minister be
pleased to .sUite why in view of the seriousness 4d‘ the allegatioiiM (smtained
in those reports (Government did not issue any press-noie denying the correct-
ness of the report at tlmt timeP
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: No.
Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARl; WhyP What are the reasons?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Government cannot Like notice of any unfounded
canards that are published in newspapers.
Commufial ratio in poets of Scrporintendente of Collootoratai.
*30. Mr. ABOU8 8ABUR KHAN: ia) Will the Hon'ble Minister in
charge of the Dejiaitment of Land and Lund lie venue W pleased to at ate —
(i) how many Superinteiidpiits of different Collectoratea are in office at
the present moment;
(iV) how many of them are Muslim; and
{tii) whether the communal ratio baa Wen maintained in these
appointments?
{b) If the reply to {a)iin) is in the negati\e, will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state —
(t) what immediate step the Glovernment propose to take to remove the
disparity and to maintain the ratio; and
(tt) whether it is desirable to appoilit Muslims only in all future
vacancies till the ratio has b^n attained?
Tho Hon’blo Mr. BAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HMAINfi (o) (i) Twenty-
seven.
(ft) Three.
(tit) and (6) No. Cemnmnai Ratio Rules do not apply m there posts are
filled ^ promotion from the npper division.
14
QUESTIONS.
[12th Sept.,
Mr. ABDUi SABUR KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state if any general principle or policy is enunciated in matters of promotion
or it is a matter of whim of any particular officer?
Tlif Hon*bit Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUpDIN H08AIN: It is the
superior officers who select after carefully considering the competency of the
officers concerned.
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state whether it is the whim or biased consideration which has reduced the
requisite number of Muslims, so that out of 27 districts there have been only
three Muslim Superintendents of Collectorates ?
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: No bias can
be attributed to any higher officer like tliat.
Mr. MUHAMMAD i8RAIL: Will the Hon’ble Minister be nleased to
state whether in view of the strong dispjirity in the communal ratio as
Imtween 27 Hindus and *1 Muslims Government consider it desirable that
some atteinpt.s should be made to fill up the posts by direct promotion just
to make up the leeway that exists in the service?
Tht Hon’bl« Mr. 8AIYED MUAUAMUDDIN H08AIN: Government
will consider the suggestion,
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state what in his opinion are the reasons of this dis-
parity ?
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: It is a ques-
tion of opinion, but I think these (Vmimunal Hatio Rules were promulgated
only in 1939 and before that there were no Gommunul Ratio Rules and the
number of Muslim officers W'ere very few. Those who were promoted to the
grade of Superintendent were verv senior officers. The number of Muslim
officers being few, very few of them could <x)rne up for promotion to the
superior grade.
Abolition of Bitnfwan Local Boards.
*31. Mr. JADABENDRA NATH PANJA: (a) Will the Hon’ble Minister
in charge of the ])e|wirtinent of Local Self-Government lie pleased to state
whether it is a fact that the District Board of Burdwan recommended in a
resolution, dated the 2Slh duly, 1915, tluit the Lo<al Boards of Burdwan
be alKdished?
(6) If the answer to {a) is in the affinnative, will the Hon’ble Minister
lie pleased to state —
(t) whether the Government have given effect to the resolution ; and
(iV) if not, the reasons thereof?
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM (on behalf of the Hon'ble Mr. Mohainmed AM):
(a) Yes.
(b) (i) No.
(ii) Consideration of the question of abolition of Local Boards of Burdwan
has been postponed, as representations have been received that the interests
of the Asansol subdivision will suffer if the Asansol Local Board is abolished.
Mr. ilADABENDRA NATH PANdA: Will the Hon’ble Minister be
pleased to state if there isliny reason why the local boards were not abolished
in spite of the District Board^s resolution to the oontrary?
Mr. 8. A. 8 ALIM: As a matter of fact the Chairman of the District
Board recommended that the Asansol Local Board cannot be abolished as
there ore special circumstances requiring the retention of the Asansol Local
Board.
1946.]
QUESTIONS.
16
» Mr. 6 ADAiENDRA NATH RANMs Will tbe Hon bk Miiiiikr be
>lea»ed to etate how the Asslu^o] subdivision will suffer if the Asaneol Local
loa^ is abolished P
Mr. t. A. tALIM: Aaan^d Loool Ihuinl should not l>e alM>lished beoouee
he Asansol subdivisiou c^ontributen a iimjor ^>ortion of the oess income of the
listrict Ikmrd. Aiwinsol Hoard is a seini-independeut Innly ^ttin>f
he whole of the rotid cess of the subdivision and it*i« charged with the
iiaintenauce and upkeep of roads and institutions of the local Aaansol oreas.
t is entrusted with the work of water-supply including sinking of wells and
ts maintenaine within the vsubdivision.
ncidifioe of malaria, tuborouiosia, leprosy and smallpox In Aaanool Mining
area.
*32. Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: (a) Will the Hoirble Minister in
barge of the lK‘partiucnt of Ilcullh and Local Self-dovenimeni l>e pleased
f) state —
(i) whether any suivey has Ikhui lairitnl on, on l)ehalf of the Asansol
Mines liuard of Health, to ascertain the incidence of malaria,
tulwrculosis, leprosy and smallpox among the colliery population;
and
(It) if so, what are the results of that survey P
(h) Will the Hon’ble Minister Ik* pleased !<» lay on the Table the compara-
ive figures for the last five >eai> eJuling in ltM5-4(> of the incidence of
aalaria, tuherculosif,. Ie|>rosy and smallpox among the colliery population
nth mortality figures therefrom P
(r) Will the llon’ble Minister lie pleioeMl to state w'hat stejis the Oovem-
lent profMwe to take to comlmt the increasing ]>Tevalenec of the above*
aentioned diseases among the eollier>’ ]K>|mlation ?
Thn Hon’INo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: (oK/i Survey has l>een carried out
n behalf of the Asosol Mines Hoard of Heultit to astterlain the incidence of
lalaria, tuljereulosis and leprosy. But the survey is not associated with
mallpox. It is obligator^' on (he f>art of the Colliery authorities to notify
ases of i«naII|Jox, when they occur.
(«>
1. — \falarifi Survey/ tn CoUtenes {VJ44).
Sn.KBN IlVDEX.
Per cent.
Maximum
.. 97
Minimum
Endrmic Index.
.. 13*8
Maximum
... 88*8
Minimum
GaMKTOCYTK R.ITB.
32*0
Maxitnum
.. 78*6
Minimum
.. 26
^ N,B.^Th» maximuia and the mim i m na r^reeeftt the extremea of tr»ria*
ion in the collieries surveyed.
2 . .
16 yFESTIONS. [12th Skpt.,
II. — Ttiherculosii Surrey {Sample Survey carried out in 1938).
(i) Montaux Test —
Positive.
1 in 1,000 1 in 100
per cent, per cent.
Retired Miners
64*7 72-9
Miners
39*6 76
Underground workers
400
Surface workers
35 3
(ii) Clinical Examination —
Positive.
Per cent.
Miners (883) . .
.. 24-9
Retired Miners (289)
... 38-0
III. — Lvpro,<ij S u r vey ( 1943 ) .
NumWr of collieries surveyed ... 138
Population examined ... 05.752
Numl)er <»f leprosy c-ase.s 526
Infectious 86
Non-infectious ... 440
Percentage of infection ... ... 0*79
(5) A statement is laid on the Table.
(c) Government proiM»se to introduce a drive for vaccination as an anti-
smallpox measure and take such anti-malaria measures as may be necessary
in consultation with the Asausol Mines Board of Health. With regard to
inhercnlosis and leprosy no sjjecial measures are called for in this area beyond
what are being taken by the Mines Board of Health.
Statement referred to iu reply to ehiuse (h) of starred question No, 32.
InCIDRNCB of AJJD MOUTAUTY from malaria, Tl IlKRri losis, lkprost ajtd
SMALLPOX AMON(} THR COUJERY POrCLATION (1941-46).
Tuberculosiit.
BmftJlpox.
Year.
Caeee.
l>eathft.
Caaee.
Deathe.
Cases. Deaths.
Oases.
Deaths.
1941
23,732
104
36
10
^ *
43
3
1942
. . 28.169
97
29
8
8
lie
7
IMS
37.468
227
58
19
3 1
29
1944
49.562
206
43
11
3
14
1
1945
. • 39.290
96
30
17
2 1
262
15
Mr. DCBiNORA NATH SEN: Will th« Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
•tate what portion of the money collected by the Asansol Mines Board of
fleoia is spent actually for combating these diseases?
TN HmPM# Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am afiuid I W to ask lor
mtfee. 1 have not got the budget estimate before me.
m.]
Pl^of
QIESTIONS.
n
OMiMNifNlir^Mnv^^ of BiMliarav Tilti iwl HitfiitfihiMr A. Q.
HoipHals in Doom ilitlnot
*33« Mfi DHAHANJOY ROY: Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge
»f the Deimrtnieiit of Health (Medical) l»e pleuHecI to state wliether it ia a
iict —
(O that the conipoiinder-rMm-cleiks t»f Itulciliaru, Tilli and Mahadebpur
A. 0. Hospitals uud(‘r Mauikg-uiij sulnlivision in Dacca distrioi
were appointed l>v Snbdivisional Dtticer, Muuikgunj, which were
duly approved l>v the (’i\il Sur^oMtn. Ihu-ea. on ii monthly jrtiy of
Rs.Jk) plus usual dt'arness aliowancT on March, 1944, on tha
strenjrth of (Toverniuent Order Nt>. oHi>9A.U.lV. dated the Idth
Novenil)er, llMd, and that tht^y were irettiiitf the said pay of He. 35
with the usual tlc^arnes.H alhovaiue till April, ItMti; and
(/i) that the (’ivil Surgeon of Dacca by his Memo. No. v5ti()(l )A.(s.Il..
dated the loth June, IfMb, recoinincuided that being unc|ualifiea
compounder-t //wi-eJerks llie\ are c-ntitlcMl to a monthly pay of
JU/Jo with etVect fnuu the* date of their appcdntiueut and that all
the uniuunt drawn in excess (which is alMUit Us. 300) must Ih>
refunded in cuie instalment on or Indore 31st March, UM7
(6) If the answer to (//) is in the aflirmative, will the llcni’ble Minister
be pleased to considei tl»e de>irability of —
(/) allowing them the original |>ay with their usual dc?urneHs allowance;
and
(II ) of cancelling the order of refund of the niomn drawn in excess 1*
Mr. 8. A. SALIM (on behalf of the Hon’blo Mr. Mohammed Ali)t
(o) A representation from certoiii cc)m{>ounders making the allegations h«a
been received by (ion eminent .
(//) The matter is under consideration of (loveminent.
Mr. DHANAMJOY ROYS With reference to aosw'er (h), will the
Hon'ble Minister be pleased 0> state how' long it will take to come to a
decision Y
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM: Go vernment decision will be communicated very
ehortly.
Condition of ombankmonts on Mourakkhi and Hingta rivars in Birhtium
diatriot.
^4. Mr. NISHAPATI MAJHI; AVill the Hon'ble Minister in charge
of the Deiiertmeiit of Irrigation lie pleased to state —
(t) as to the urcsent state of repair or disrejmir of the embonkmenit
on the Mourakkhi (Dwarka, B. ) and Hingla rivers in the
Birbhum district;
(it) whether any villages have been affecte<l by recurring floods so far;
and
(til) what steps, if any, have the Government taken or contemplate to
take in regard to villages along these embankments if they have
already Keen affeeded by floods?
MINI8TER in charge of tho IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT (iho Hon'blt
Mr. Abyl Paial Muhamnuul Ahdur Rahman); (i) These are private embank*
mente maintained by the interested persons, and the Department of Irrigation
and Waterways have nothing to do with them.
(ii) During very high floods villages near the embankments are affected.
(iit) The constmetion of an embankment along the river Hin^
between the villagee JunMpur and Yararo will be taken up soon after uia
rains.
QCESTIOffS.
[12th Skpt.,
U
Invcgti^tion has also l)e*^n taken up for the canstruction of a dam on
the River Mor at Messanjore for flood control and other purposes.
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Is the Hon hie Minister aware
that due to recent floods in the rivers in the district of Birbhum, people
auffered enorroously both in life and property?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Yes, I am aware of it.
UNSTARRED QUESTIONS
(anawert to which were laid on the table)
Activities of police ofHoers of Betiaghata polioe^tation, Khidmu
Bt Mr. RUP NARAYAN ROY: («) Will tin* Hon’ble Mini.ster in charge
of the Home Dcpartimmt l>e please<l to .state if it is a fact that the police
officers of Betiaghata imlice-statinn, district Khulna, aie threatening the
kisans with repiessive measures if the kisans would support the Knshak
Samitifi there?
(b) If so, does he |»rojM)se to instruct the Di.striet Magistrate of Khulna
to investigate into the matter and submit a rejmrt to the Minister in charge
of the Home l)e|>artmeut?
MINISTER in charge cf the HOME DEPARTMENT (the Hcn’blc
Mr. H. 8. Suhrawardy) : (a) No.
(h) Does not arise.
Grievances of the All-Bengal Muslim Contracters’ Aseooiatien.
8. Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: ia) Will the Hon’ble
Minister in charge of the D«|xirtiiieiii of Building and Works be pleaeed
to state whether the Government have received any memorandum of
grievani’cs from the All-Bengal Muslim Contractors’ Association?
(b) If so, wall the Hon ’hie Minister he plea.sed to state —
(i) what are the main grievances set forth therein;
(it) on what date the memorandum at (a) was submitted; and
(ill) what action Government have since taken to remedy the grievanceef
MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of WORKS and BUILD-
INGS (the Hon'ble Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandal); (a) Yes.
(6) (i) The memorandum asked for the f(dlowing: —
(1) Ol>servance of communal parity in the enlistment of contractors.
(2) Gheervnnre of communal |mrity in the distribution of wolfa in
resj)ect of value,
(3) Abolition of earnest money.
(4) Reduction of security deposits.
(ti) 9th March, 1946.
(Hi) The officers Lave been directed to observe oarefoUy the pdiiioi|iIe of
communal ]>arity in* the enlistment of contractors of all classes. The oases
el Muslim contractors are being treated sympathetically lor jporpm of
enlistment. The same principle has been enjoined in the dismbotton of
works which are given out to contractor without calling for tenders. As
regards eamaet money and security deposits, the orders have been revised to
reduce their amoonts. Eenieei nmoey can also be deposttod now iu O.F.
notes or Bank eeouritiee*
1ft
BO
QUESTIONS.
Mr. A>U TAIYAB MAZHAAUL HAQUEl Will tli« Hon U# Hiniator
pleaie<i to stato wliat is tli^ amount of th« aarnoat money now fixed P
Tht Hofl’lllt Mr. ilOCENDRA NATH MANDA1.S The amount required
be deposited has been fixed at 5 |>er cent, of the roufth estimate of the
project.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABtBULLAH CHAUDHURYj Will the Hon hie
unister be pleased to state the peneiita^e of MuHliwi. iMiste Hindu and
cheduled Caste contractors in this department P
The Hon’ble Mr. dOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: No porcentajre won
sed or has been fixed yet for the Stheduled ('uste contractors but a per^
entajre, i.e., oO per cent, o! the total nuinhei, was fixed from Muslim
Contractors.
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUl HAQUE: Will the Hon ble Minister
be pleased to state alietlier the direction that has been jfiven to officers for
the maintenance of (Hunmuiwil ratio will have any retnispective effect
Tti« Hon’ble Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: (ommimal ratio
pot to he oh.nerved in the mattei of enlistment of tontnrctors ninl distribution
of works. In the enli.stment oi contractors no reirosp^'ctive effect can be
given. So far as distribution of work is wncerned there also no retrospective
effect can he given hetjause the tsmiimmal mtio was fixed longj ago and
subsecpient fixation of the cominunal ratio should be obseiTed. Therefore,
no question of retrospective effect in giving contracts can arise. X
Mr. AHMED ALI MRIDHA: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to
state if there is an\ ina( hiner\ to ascertain whether the rules are observed
by the officers concerned and it so, what is that machinery and bow
information come to them?
The Hon*ble Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: Directions w'ere given
to the Superintending Engineers of all circles and in the matter of dis-
tribution of works whic h are exec uted not on calling of tender Irnsis com-
mtmal ratio could he observed. In wane circles, say the Eastern Circle so
far as my information goes Mu.slims got their recpiisite cjuota but in Western
and Central Circdes Muslims have not got their qmita./ It is very difficult
to give any definite directions to the Superintending Engineers of all (Jirclei
to observe this communal cjuota because in Ecistern (bnle the number of
Muslim contractors is lar^e and many of the works are executed by the
Muslim contractors, but in the Western Bengal the number of Muslim
contractors is very .small and much of the works is excHuted by Hindu
oontmctors but wdiot (lovernment is anxious to see is tliat on average 50
per cent, of the total works is given to the Muslim controctors.
Mr, MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will tbc llon'ble
Minister be pleased to state if he is aware thiit Muslim 4 )ontrac‘tors from
Easieni Bengal are agreeable to cxjine to Western Bengal and work there P
Tbt HlNi*blt Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANSAL: The numlier of such
willing contractors is very small and 1 think there are very few who era
prapgred to come. If. liowever, anybcxly desires to undertake any work in
Western Bengal, surely Government is prepared to enlist them in Western
Circle as well. ^
Mr.' NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon^le Minister be pleased
to state what is the policy ami objei t l>ehiiid the system of taking earnest
and security money P
Tbe Hon’bM Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL. i In order to avoid
lenders from^ uawtUing er incompeieiit contractoii who are not )n earnwt
to execute work. Only those contractors who are earnest to execute tat ^
20
NO-CONFIDENCE MOTIONS.
[12th Sept.,
work Afo allowed to submit tenders. Tbewlore, the main principle behind
it is to stop those persons who are not really fide contractors and who
are not really in a position to execute works, ^
Mr. NItHITHA NATH KUNDUs Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state whether by revision of the order for reduction of the earnest money
and security deposit the policy will in any way be affected
Tba Hon’bla Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: I do not think so.
It is a questioji of prcentage only. Formerly the earnest money was fixed
at 10 per cent., ana the security deposit at 15 per ^nt. Now the earnest
money is fixed at 5 per cent, an^he security deposit at 10 per cent. The
principle is there and by the reduction of the percentage the principle will
not be affected in any way. ^
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Is the Hon’ble Minister aware tliat the
system of earnest money was introduced only recently ? ^
The Hon’ble Mr. dOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: It was introduced in
the year 1944.
Mr. ISWAR CHANDRA MAL: Will the Hou’ble Minister be pleased
io state whether he is sup[M>rted by departmental rules that no contracts are
given without calling for tenders?
The Hoit’ble Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: Of course, in
emergent or urgent matters, the engineers are permitted to distribute works
or execute works without calling for tenders.
Mr. ISWAR CHANDRA MAL: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state whether tenders are not oalled in order to maintain the ciniimunal
ratio?
Tha HOfl’bla Mr. JOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: No it is not a fact,
rather when a tender is not called much favouritism is shown to Hindu
contractors. ^
No-oonfldanca motions.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Mr Speaker, Sir, 1 have given
notice of a motion of no-con tideuce, and I beg ItMive f>f the IIous(* to move
it.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: 1 gave another notice of a motion of nc-
confidence and 1 also seek your permission to beg leave of the House to move
it.
Mr. SPEAKER: There are two motions of no-oonfidence before the
House. 1 shall deal w'iih Mr. IFatta’s motion first. It .say.s that this
Assembly expresses its want of wnfidence in the Council of Ministers. I
shall now request those members who are in favour of it to please rise in
their places.
(Members in favour of the motion rase in their s€uUs and their number
was counted by Secretary and rejmrted to Mr. Speaker.)
As the requisite numl)er of members is in favour of the motion, leave is
grantetl.
The next motion of Mr. Binml Comar (Ihose says that this Assembly
expresses its want of l5onfideiice in the Hon’ble Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy, tbe
Chief Minister and Minister in charge of liuw and Order. Those who are in
favour of it will please rise in their seats.
(Members in favour of tbe motion rose in their seats and their number
was counted by Secretary and reported to Mr. Speaker.)
Tbe jrequisite number having been obtained, leave is granted in tbia oaae
alto.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
U
m^]
Vm Htll’llit Mr. H. S, •MHIIAWAIIDYi I mn glad that ilia Houm bat
fiven this opportunity to the mom hers of the House to discuss the oatadysm
rhich overtook Calcutta and which we all deplore. 1 am glad, Sir, because
his gives me an opportunity to place before this House as well as before
he oountiT the events which have taken place so that the House may be
ible to judge for itself whether the remarks made in the papers against me
;nd the Ministry are justified or not. 1 am indeed glad, Sir, to be able to
ix two days for the discussion of these motions subject to your approval
Mr. SPEAKER: I think T shall fix the dates.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: Yes, Sir, and so I say.
subject to your opproval.
> Mr. SPEAKER: Is it not l)etter tlmt the mutter should he decided by
agreement ?
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: The imsition is this that we
had come to an agreement regarding the «lates being 18th and I9ib. If the
honourable the Leader of the Oppo.sition de<'ides to adhere to those dates, 1
shall l)e most happy or if he desires (hut it be later, I shtdl suggest 19th.
and 20th. These 4ire my suggestions subjec t Ui your appixjvul, and to what
the honourable the Leader of the Opposition may wish to say.
Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: May I sugge.st 20th and 21si.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: The 2bt happens to he a
Saturday, and you all know that Saturdays are not good days — not from the
point of view' of aiisfiic iousness or otiierwuse hut for irunsac'ting business.
That i.s the reason why I have suggested Thurstlay and Friday.
Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: 1 would appeal to the Ilon’lde the Leader
of the House arid to the (’hiel Minister to agree to the 20th end 21st in spite
of tlie fact that 21>t is u S«ituiduy.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. SUHRAWARDY: I do not know what the
leaders ol other jxirties have (o siiy regarding this dale because I am aware
that there are some jiarties (hat may find Saturday an in(H>nvenient date.
If they have no objection I have none. Hut, I think, taking all factors into
consideration perhaps Thursday and Friday appear to me to be the most
suitable.
Mr. D. CLADDING: M\ party w’ouid prefer, if laisHible, if it took
place on Thursday and Friday.
Mr. SPEAKER* I have heard the NUgge.stioii.s of leaders and I think
that the best (X)urse will be to make a compromise; the Ilon’ble the Lender
of the House lia.s siigge.sled 18th and 19th, and the honourable the Leader
of the Opposition has suggested 20th and 21st; I fix 19th and 20th for
discussion of both the motions, the voting being taken on Ixith on the
second day.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
S— Provincial Exdso.
Tlii Hon’blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the recommendation of
His Excellency the Gh)V€rnor 1 move that a sum of Rs. 36,83,000 be granted
for expenditure under the head “8 — Provincial Excise.”
Sir, in reply to the debate that will ensue 1 shall announce Goremment
policy and disease generi^y the administration of the deportment.
n
DEMAND FOB OfiANtS.
[12m SmMt.
Ilf, KIRAN SAMKAII ROY: Mr. Speaker, with your permiseion I
would like td «tate very briefly the attitude of op party with regard to the
diecuwion on the budget. We have tabled znotioae of no-obnfidence on the
Hon'ble the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. Until these
motkios are discussed and decided we do not propose to move the cut motions
which stand in the names of our members, nor .shall we participate in the
discussion. We shall oppose the total grants.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Sir. I appreciate the stand-
point tukori by ihe honourable Leader of the Oppo.Mition. When we have
such an important discussion as uo-confidence motion against us, I think
that any discussion on the various matters regarding the Budget will be
hardly practiced, and w^e shall he more or less talking artificially. I think
that it would also — of course I further appreciate it — cut our work short
considerably and we shall he able to concentrate on the wf>rk ot adminis-
tration.
Mr. SPEAKER: Am T t4) understand from the statement of the
hotiourahle Leader of the Opfsisition that all the motions standing in the
name of the members of the (tp|M>sition should he treated as withdraw'n.
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Yes, Sir
Mr. SPEAKER; With regard to all the demands?
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Xo; 1 .said until llie discussion and
decision on the ii<>-(M)nfi<Ience motion are finished.
The HOfl^ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: Are we to understand from the
statement of the liPader of the t)[)is)siti(m that they iire also not going to
partioipfite in the disou.sslon or the deluite on the main motion?
Mr. SPEAKER: I think he nunle it (dwir that they will parlioiiKite in
the general discussion of the Budget demand hut not on cut motions.
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: We will not participate in the discussion.
We w’ill not move the cut motions and we will not particiiuite in the dis-
cussion hut w’e .shall oppose the grant.
Tht Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: If the Leader oi the Opposition
would agree, can we not c-oinpress our programme for the voting on demands.
It would l>e very ejusy. A lot of time of the House Iteis been saved because
they are not going to juirticipate in (be delwite. So we could utilise tbe
time in other wa>s and curtail the time on demands and go through legis-
lation. What 1 .sugge8te<l was tiuit as the Leader of the Opposition has
•tated the uiemWrs of the Opposition are iK>t going to participate in the
debate, therefore we can allot a lesser number of days for the demands
which have already l)een allotted for 13th, 14th, loth, J6th and 17th. Wa
could pass those demands within twui or three days and take up somt
impending ami imjwrtant legislation that has to be passed before tbe session
is prorogued. If the Leader of the Opposition will agree to that, we can
bring up legislation.
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: 1 am sorry I cannot agree.
iir»iPlAKER: Nobody wants to discass this demand. 1 put the main
demimd to vote.
The motion of tbe Hon^ble Mr. Mohammed Ali that a sum of Es. 86,85,000
ha fMmted lot expenditure under the head “8 — ^Primnoial Exciee** wae then
put and ni pme d In.
w ] DEMAND FOE GRANTS. ft
< t flOl l U ftt iOB.
• ^ Alttt FAIAL MUHAMMAD ABOUR RAHMAN:
ur, on the remmmendation of His Excellency the Governor I beir to move
C o* o”oroti^” ** expenditure under the head
Mr. SPEAKER: Nobody wants to discuss: I put the demand to >'«te.
ihai^a®s!r.‘'^f‘ if ‘0-11;’,’^*:'“, Muhammad Abdur Ilahman
^t a sum of Ks. 00() be i;r,,„tcd f„i expenditure under the head
— I o-op^rat ion WsIk then put und n^rreetl to.
Adjournment.
The House whs then adjournetl «( /i-d? j>.iu
Lath September. KMh. ut the s\ssenihl\ lif.use
till 2-aO p.m. on Friday, th#
Cnleutto.
M
[13th Sbot,
ProeeedingM of the Bengil Legi$hiive Ai$embljr aitembled
under the provisions of the Govemnient of IncHa Aetf 1935.
The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Friday, the
13th September, J946, at 2-30 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Xurul Amin) in the Chair, 5 Hon’ble
Ministers and 202 Tiieml)er8.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Further Supplementsries to Starred Question No. 22 on the subject of
Allotment of Spindles to existing Mills for their expansion.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: With reference to answer (h) on the
presumption that there is n deficit in Ben^ral will the TTon'hle Minister be
pleased tx) state the amount of the <lefi( it ?
The Hon’ble Mr, 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: As regards deficit I want
to explain the matter. In Bengal the ull(»tmeiit that was made for Bengal
by the Government of India was very small. The fact is that the allowition
oi spindles was finished during 93 regime on the loth of April. When we
took over c’harge of the administration ami when this department was made
over to me. I found that the whole thing was a completed fact. I could not
agree with that because Hengal was given only 32o,()0() spindles whereas we
found that Bombay was overfed. In spile of the fact that Bombay had
already 5,941,000 spindles, she was given again 144,000 spindles. Madras
had already 1,440,00(1 spindles. Over and alH)ve that Madras was given
460.000 spindles. In spite of the fa(‘t that Bengal had a deficit, we had
only 430,000 spindles working in Bengal. I think the number of spindles
allottejl t<i llengal was very short and insutti<*ient. I took that matter up
to His Kxcellencv ami II is Excellency very kindly ga\e me the pennission
to rtV)pen tin* wliole {|uestion. I went all the way tx) Delhi and reopened the
whole thing ami reallotted certain iK)rtion and tried to extmct more from
the Government (»f India. I hud discussed this matter with Sir Akbar
Hydari who j)leade<l <lifhculty aim^it incrcsising the (juotxi. I said that Bengal
should have at bvist 8 lakhs x)f spindles more hut in place of 8 lakhs we have
been given only 325,000 spindles. I .miid that we want 5 lakhs of spindles
more for Bengiil, hut he could not agree. He said that a month or two after
he might be in a position to call u (amference of Minister.s of Industries of
■different provinces where the target figure which we are demanding to be
mined can he discu.ssed ami decided. Yow will he glad to leorn that Sir
Akbar Hydari has promised that the Conferenc'e of the Ministers for Indus-
tries will be held at Delhi and there the demand that I have made that
Bengal should be given an additional quota of 5 lakhs of spindles to cover
the deficit through which Bengal is inissing now will he discussed end
decided. This is the potiilion and I hope this will satisfy the honourable
member.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY : Out of this
326.000 spindles sanctioned for Bengal will the Hon’ble Minister he pleased
to state how many were distributed to Bengalis and how many to non-
Bengalis — how many to Hindus and how many to Muslims?
The Hoifbla Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: The spindles were dis-
tributed among 9 parties out of which there were two Muslims. Ispohanis
were 50,000 spindles and Calcutta Engineering was given 20,000, the
total being 70,000. When I took this matter up I oistribated them later on
QUESTIONS.
r’
6 otW miiLi-^four four Hindus. That has raisad the quot^i
0 one lakh ^*^d odd thousand for Miisliuis and 2 lakhs and 24 thousand foi
iindos. All the 8 new mills to which I huve^ distributed the spindWa ari
1 1 * ^ Model Knitting, because that happened to belong
0 Birlas. I learnt that Btrlas got other allo<' 4 itiou 8 from other Piovinoes.
o I cut out Birlas. Possibly (Uie uon>Bengali firm got some spindW bat
hot was (lone by the Government of India, but the 8 new mills that I hove
iven spindlex to are all Bengali -owned, — f«»ur Hindus and four Muslims.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURYs Will the ilon’ble
jlini.ster la* pl(»a>ed to give ns the names of the mills and the parties to whom
the spindles were distributed P
Tha Hofi’bla Mr. 8HAM8U0DIN AHMED: That is in the list <in th**
table.
Mr. FAZLUL QUADIR: Will the llon'bh* Minister be pleastnl to state
how man\ new applications were received from new mills in Bengali'
The HOfl'ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIH AHMED: 1 am sorry 1 (Qinnot give
you the figure now. There wa^ a large number <if applitotions.
Mr, BIMAL COMAR CH08E: With reference to answer
namely, prr t apita re(juireinent is Ki b vards and in view of tbe tact that the
population oi Bengal is also known, will the Hon’ble Ministi'r be pleased to
state why separate tignri's for Bengali were not available V
The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I uill look into it and I
will tell yon afterwards.
Mr, BIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will the llon'bie Minister be pleaseil to
state il he is aware that the Post-War Planning ('ommittee said that IH yarils
were the prr re(|nireiiienf taking an all-fndia averaged
The Hon'ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Yes; that is so
Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will the llotPbh' Minister lie pleased
to state wh\ then this fi;;ine ot \aids was accepte»l b\ the Government
of Bengal 'r
The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: 1 am sorrv 1 (aunot give
you the whole detail I would look into the matter and if my friend will
see me afterwards 1 will be abb* tsi gi\e von every detail which he wants.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: With rcfercin*e t.o the allocation of
spindles to various mills will the Iloii’hle Minister he pleased to state tx» to
whether the reeonimendal ion of the i*ost-War Plaiiiiing (’ommittee was not
that it should he 2'> thou.saiid spindles ami (i(K) looms for an ('(xinomic nniiy
Tbo Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Before 1 took up the
matter the etHuiomic unit was .supjMiHeil tu he and the albaation that
was maile during !ld regime was 2o,(l0() and 20,000, hut after 1 took over
charge Mr. Barat, .Joint Textile (Vnnmissiorier, came from Bombay and siiw
me here. He told me that in view of the pri(*e of inuchinerv the ipioUi of
spUKjles should now he fixe<l and albx'otion made ot a lesser number of
spindle.s, so that money would he saved in Bengal. Thereafter you will he
able to feed the mills after they luive begun to function, because if tbe orders
utT pmced t<xlay, you (‘arimd get those inachinerie.s within tw^ii or three years
by which time the price of macdiinery will come down and JJengsil wdll W in
® position to demand for bigger ouotas of spindles and will have to pay less
for them.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: With reference to answer just now
Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state as to whether, apart
® qu^tion ni prices, it is the opinion of the experts that a bwer
^i&dleage will be able to run on economic basis F
QUESTIONS.
fJ%H SkPT.^
Tht Mr. SHAMSUDOIN AHMED: Opinion riifer^. People
tliink that if spindleage is more, the running cost will he less, but at the
present moment the difliciilty is — you will be astonished to hear — that the
prices have almost doubled or trebled. Previously where we had to spend
four lakhs of rupees for machinery we hate now to spend eight to ten lakhs
of rupees. In the first place, it is very difficult to get them, and in the
second pkce, the prices at the United Kingdom are very high.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon bie
Minister he pleased U) state what principle is followed in distributing the
spindles?
The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I have already stated that
economic unit i.-* the Isisis, and also the jw.sition and experience of the
applicants. Some of the spindle.s were given to old and existing mills who
wanted additional spindles.
As regards new mills, the tajwcity and experience of the men who will
run those organ iscitions are taken into consideration. The honourable
members will realise that it is not very easy to do it. I have stated the
whole* tldng and have also stated very frankly what 1 have done.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble
Minister be ple<ised to stale whether any spindle has been granted to the
Vidyasagar (V)tU>n Mill in Stnlepore?
Mr. BREAKER: You ask whether a c^ertain mill was granted spindle.
That is to be found in the list.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: Will the ‘Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state if he is of opinion tliat 8,(M)0 spindles can work on an economic basis?
The HOfi’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Y(‘.s. It can start func-
tioning and before three years’ time it cannot get spindles. After that self-
government and independent India may either prcMluce here the necessary
materials or get them at a cheaper rate.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: In view of the fact that the Hou’ble
Minister by implication suggests that 8,000 spindleage was the economic
unit, will the Hoirble Minister be pleased to state as to why spindle.s that
were available were not distributee] in terms of economic unit instead of
distributing them \o various peerties which made it uneconomic.
Tbf Hon’bit Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: “Uneconomic” is a matter
of opinion,
Mr. AHMED ALI MRIDHA: Will the Hoirble Minister be pleased to
state if he is aware that 90 per c'enl, of the shareholders of the Vidyasagar
Ootton Mill are Mu.slims?
Tilt HMl»bl« Mr. SHAM8UODIN AHMED: That might be. 1 am sorry
1 cannot tell you. I shall look into the matter.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state the reason why 40, (KK) spindles were allotted to one particular mill,
while not more than 25,000 or generally speaking 30,000 spindles were given
to other mills?
TN HOfRbli Mr. 8HAMBUDDIN AHMED: Ispakanis were given
25^000 sj^indles for two mills each during section 9r3 regime, that is, 50,000
epimlles for two. I cut it down to 40,000.
Mr. BIMAL OONAII Cb^B: If one party allied for two mtOa, will
tlie Hon’hle Minister be plee^ to etate the reasons lor aUotting spindleage
for two mills when other parties applied for one mill oiilyf
QrESTIONvS.
It
[ Tht HtifM Mr. SHAMSUODIN AHMtDl A» I said duru^ tkc
^tion 93 regime, the Ispahunii* were the oulv Muslim firm who ap^lieti for
fe,o!oO spindles. There was another firm called the C^elcutttt Engineering
prm whidi was giv'en SJ5,(MM3. The Ispahanis were given 50,900, thus
baking a total of 75,0tK) spindles.
! Mr. BIMAL COMAB CHOSE: In view <d the fact that the wlnde
Question wii> re-opened and re-examined, will the llon’ble Minister be pleased
U state the rwisou w'hy such a large uuinlter of spindles were given to
Ispalmnis instHid of giving it toother Muslim firms!'
Tht Hon'bln Mr. SNAMSUDOIN AHMED: It was done after due
wmsideratiou.
Mr. AHMED ALI MBfDHA: Will the Hon^hle Minister l>e pleased U>
state whether in view <d the statement 1 have made that 90 per <*enl, of the
shareholders of the X’nlyasagar t'otton Mill are Mushm.s, ami also in view
nf the fact that Muslims are very haekward in this industry, does he
I'oiHider that sjiecial r(»ma‘S‘»ioii> ‘should he given to this niiliy
The Hon’bli Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: 1 have alriHidy told you
that there were only two Muslim mills. After resuming oflice 1 ix'-examined
the whole question, and 1 pive sj)i miles to four more parties. 1 am sorry,
the honourahle memher still saws that Muslims have not been given. I have
gi\eii spindles to four llinilu and 4 Muslim mills.
Mr. FAZLUL QUADIR: Will the Ilon’hle Minister he ple^ised to stale
whether Government propose to start au\ new mill?
Tha Hon’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Wo pioimse to start a mill,
hut the (^ihiiiet has not come to any final decision. After a decision w
arrived at, we shall strive to get more quota for Bengal.
Mr. d. C«. GUPTA: Is the IloiiMile Minister aware that for want of yarn
iiianv wt'uvcrs, <»t whom a iiiaj(»rity are Muslims, are losing their trade, and
are l)eing ruined?
The Hon*ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: 1 um fully aware, and all
the mills that have been allotte<l spindles have been asked to spin and
produce yarn and to supply weavers. More than this is very difficult to do.
Mr. fl. C. CUPTA: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to staU wbioh
mills and wliat quota of yarn have been reserved for the handlootn weavers?
Tbf Hon’bit Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMEDs I want notice.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: In view of his answer will the
llon’bie Minister he please<l to state the monthly re<)airemente of the
weavers for one loom ?
Tht Hon’bla Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I want notioe.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: Will the Hon’ble Miniiter be
pleaaed to state whether the monthly requirement of each loom is 24 lbs. of
yarn, but only 8 lbs. is being given for each loom ?
Mr. SPEAKER: You are not asking for information but you are giving
the information yourself.
TIm HOA’bM Mr. BHAMSUDDIN AHMED: The honouiwhla member
has given the information. 1 do not know. However, I will look into the
matter.
Mr. DIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will ike Boa’ble Minister be nleaeed to
state the significanoe of the observations on t^s list laid on the table to the
effect that aUotment to a particular mill was made on the xecommendniion
of the Textile Oonmiisniotter P
QUESTIONS.
[13th Sept.,
di
. TiltllM'IMt Mr. SHAMiUOOIN AHMfDs One non-Bengalee firm wa«
allotted epindlee by the Textile Commissioner. When I was about to allot
spindles finally on official oame all the way from Bombay and told us that
tnoy have already allotted to that firm. I do not think it was fair on the
part of the Textile Commissioner to do so without letting the Government of
Sengal know. 1, however, did not like to pick up a quarrel and I accepted
the ^sition.
STARRED QUESTIONS
(to which oral anawert were ghren)
Alligirtions of oxcotses by local pdioe in a villaga under potiiMtation
Mahoihtala, 24-Pargana$.
•35. (SiiOM NoncB.) Mr. ILIAS ALI MOLtA: (a) Is the Hon'ble
Minister in charge of the Home Ilejjartment aware —
(i) that on the l3:?ud May, HMG, the police acted in a very highhanded
manner in village Jogtolu, police-station Maheshlala, 24-rargana8,
in making certain arrests; and
(ft) that great atrocities were perijetruted on the i>oor and innocent
Muslims of the village ^
(6) Did the Hoirble Minister receive any conijdaints on this matter on
behalf of the inhabitants of the village?
(c) If so, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state —
(f) whether any steps have been taken to enquire into the allegations of
fiolice excess; and
(ft) if any enquiry was made, bv whom it was made and when it was
made and what is the resuU of the enquiry ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon’blo Mr. /H. 8.
ittbfiWtrdy) S (a) Allegations of excesses by the local police were received
by Government.
(6) and (c)(i) Yes.
Hi) Enquiry was made jointly by the District Magistrate and the Superin-
tendent of Police some lime in the middle of June last and allegations against
the police found not to be true.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to atate why these arrests were made and how many of them were arrested?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: I cannot give the exact number. I
want notice.
Mr. NliHITHA NATH KUNDU: Reasons why they were arrested —
you cannot give me the number, probably you can give me the reasons of
their arrest.
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: There was a criminal ease pending
against one of the Muslim gentlemen over there and the police went over
^th a search warrant. He could not W found and they tried to catch hold
of the man who, though not absconding, could not be found over there.
When the police were attempting to catch hold of the man, some people
oame over there and the police thought that they were -obetructing their
investigation, Hence the arrests were made.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNOUt Will the Hon 'ble Minister be pleased
to state whether th^e was any charge or any oases started against them?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMEDS No.
QUESTIONS.
)
f Mr. MUNAMMAD KHUDA iUICHIHi Will the Hon ble Mmuk U
r-sed to state whether the enquiry conducted wim prayed for?
Mr. HAMIOUDDIN AHMED: Yes.
Mr. MUHAMMAD KHUDA BUKHtH: Why in not the Miniatry pur*
ing the matter any further?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government was aatiahed that the
^fjiouiry held by the (ollector along with the District Superintendent erf
ilfefice was sufficient.
^ Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
, Minister be plejised to state the names of the District Mogistmle, the
Superintendent of Polite and the arrested per.'wms?
> Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: I cannot give the names offhand. 1
pirant notice.
Mr. TAFA2ZAL ALI: Will the llon’ble Minister be pleased to state
iwhether the entjuiry lueiitioned in an.swer (b)(<i) was a toiindenlial enquiry
Oran open enquiry asking the coinplainants t<» substantiate their allegationsf
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: It was an entpiiry imnle at the instance
of the Government.
Dovetopment soheme in nspoot of Damodtr Vallty.
•ae. Maharaji 8RIBCHANDRA NANDY, of Colilfiiliazar: Will the
Hon' ble Minister in charge of the Department of Irrigation be pleased to
•tate —
(a) whether any development scheme in respt*ct of the Damodar Valley
has l>een taken up;
{h) whether provisions have been made in the scheme for (i) generation
of electrical |)Ower, (it) irrigation, and (tii) prevention of soil
erosion ;
(r) whether the scheme is being )mshtMl by the Government of India,
Government of Ilihar, Government of Benipil, or whether aa
In ter- Provincial Authority has been sot up for the purpose;
(d) what is the estimated total capita] outlay in respect of the scheme;
and
(e) whether any portions of the same have l)f*en agreed to 1)0 home by
the Government of India, the Railway Board, or the sister Pro-
vince of Bihar?
MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of IRRIGATION (the
HmPIiIc Mr. Abul Pazal Muhammad Abdur Rahman): (a) The preparation
of the Damodar Valley Project is in progress.
(b) The project provides for generation of jjower, irrigation, navigation
and flood control. Prevention of soil erosion is also contemplated.
(c) The scheme is l>eing pushed by the Government of India and the
Governments of Bihar and Bengal. No Inter-Provincial Authority has been
appointed yet.
(d) About Rs. 56 crores.
(e) No decision has yet been arrive<l at in the matter.
Dr. BURE8H CHANDRA BANERdi! Will the Hon ’hie Minister be
piensed to atate, with reference to answer (a), at what st4^re preparation
18 the project at present J
Tht Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RANMANi I wk U>t aotioe.
DP (QUESTIONS. Ii3th Smet.,
Or. SUREtH CHANDRA BANCIUI: Will tko Hoo’Ue Minuter be
to state ^rhether tlie prelhninary inveatigation which was st&tted bf
the Army Enffineers of the Central Government in November, 1945, has
been completed?
The Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. AiDUR RAHMAN: It is on tbe to
oopapletion.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Arising ont of
(e), will the Ilon’ble Minister be pleased to state when the decision will be
arrived at ?
The Hon*ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: By the next oold
weather, presumably.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state how much monejr has been spent by the Bengal
Government up till now, how much b}’ the Bihar Government and how much
by the Central Government?
The Hon’bte Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: About 2 lakhs has been
spent by the Bengal Government. No information is available as to how
much has been spent by the Bihar Government or the Central Government.
AdvertisMiMfit for appoifitmont of labour superviaora.
*37. Mr. D. 8. GURUNC: (a) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charjro of
the Department of Laliour and Industries l)e pleased to lay on the Table
a copy of the advertisement published by tlie Public Service Commission,
Bengal, some time in the last week ol ]>eceml)er, 1944, or January, 1946,
legarding the ajiiMiintiuent of lal)our superviHors .to enquire into the
grievances of the Tea garden labourers of the district of Daj*jeeling?
(b) Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state how many Hillmen
Ol “Hill language knowing” supervisors were appointed?
(.c) Is the Hon’ble Minister aware of the fact that the labour officer (who
does not know a siiigle word of the Hill lanpiage) deputed to enquire into
the condition of the Tea garden coolies went direct to the Manager’s bungalow
and reported that the coolies were quite happy and got more than they need?
(ff) If the answer to clause (r) is in the negative will the Hoa’ble Minister
be pleased to lay on the TaWe a copy of the report submitted by that labour
officer ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on bohalf of tho Hon’blo Mr. Bhaimuddin
Ahmad): ( a) I am not aware of any such advertisement.
ib) to (d) Do not arise.
Mr. DRBENDRA NATH BENt Will the Hon ’hie Minister bo ploosed
to state how many labour supervisors have been appointed since January,
1945, in the district of Darjeebug and how many of t^m are hillmen or men
knowing hill language?
Mr. HAMIBUUUIN AHMED: I want notice,
Mr. MUHAMMA) H)^BIBU|.LAH CHAUDHURY: Is there any hill-
man properly qualified to occppy this position?
Mr. HAMiOUDOIN AflMEDl The <ittes4ion has not yei arieen.
Mr. DlBiNDRA NATH tlNt Has the Hon^ble Minister recimved anar
ropoft of the labour super^r of Darjeeling oonoeming the oonditMiiis of
emidagmiii and aarrioe el tim gmd
QUESTIONS.
tl
Mr. HAMIDUODIIi AHMED: Mr. Speaker, Sir, fhis quesitlou ik)#i not
pe because the nuestiou wan in wuiuertH)!! with the appomtment of labour
|M*rvieurH. My xrieiurH ijiiestwui relates to whether any report haa been
eeived from the .‘<u|>ervisur.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Mv que^ttkin was whether the Minister
f B receive<l any rept)rt 8ti]>inittetl hv any labour supervisor of the district
Darjeelinj? ooncerniiig ()io of service and employment of tea
rden lalM)urers there. M\ question arises m view of the fact tluit the
Pl'ic'iiial (juestion in (r^ relates to whether a IuImiiu welfare officer was deputed
ipd whetWr he Ims .sulunitted any rejKirt. With rej^ard to that questmu the
^swer is — it does not arise. I <'ann<»t follow how it does not arise — whether
iny lalK)ur supervisor was deputed to make any eiicpiiries and whether he has
puiuiiitted an\ refsirt to (jroveriiiiieni .
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Mr. Speakei. Sir. the Hrst (piestion
pekites to the advertisement by the i‘uhlio Servic'e ( 'ommissioii.
Mr. SPEAKER: li is question is whether an\ lalM»nr superviinor ha.i
|iuhiiiitted any rejMirt in repird to that.
I Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: My submission is that tliis quoBtion
^oes n<»t arise. The tjuestiou was with regard to the advcrtisomcMit lor
inpf>ointment ot supervisoi and necessarily u question relating to whether tiny
*report has been submitted «Uies not at all arise. It is with rcjfard to the
njqxtintnient only and iwithin^'’ more.
Mr, SPEAKER: 'J'he (ondition <d service of lea p’arden labourers is the
(juestion. ddiere i.s also the jreiieral (question there. So 1 }ia\e allowed that
cjiiesiKui. It is up to you to answer in an> way \ou like.
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: i Innc nothing iurtlier to add.
Operation of Shops and EstaMishments Act, 1940, in ratpeot of iaundriaa.
*3S. Mr. ASHUTOSH MAtLICK: (a) Will the Hon'hle Minister in
rhai^^e ot tlie l)cpai tniciit ot Commerce and ImlHOir be pleased to state
(whether the laundries iu the cit\ <d Calcutta fall under the catef^oiy of shops
^ 1 '' detined in the Sho|>s and Kstahli*<hme!its Act. llHOy
(h) It the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, will the Uon’lde Minister
die pleaded to state whether he is aware that the shop as.sistants attached to
the laundries in the city of Calcutta are denied the amenities provided for
them iu the said Act?
\ (c) Do the liovciiiiiient ((Uisidet the desirability of taking- Ntejis to issue
jdireotives on tile owners of the laundries in the city of ('alcutla to the effect
Inf allowing their employees the privileges piovided for them iu the said Act?
I Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on bMialf of tha Hon’blo Mr. Sfiamsuddin
Ahmtd): (cr) No, but clericail departments of kiundries ere ‘‘commercial
^“tablisbments” within the meaning of the Act.
(b) Clerical employees of laundries are entitled to get weekly holidays
|w.ith pay for IJ days, payment of wages bv the 10th of the following month
kt the latest and annual leave as provided in the Act. 1 am not aware of
fUiy of these privileges having been denied to these employe<*s.
(c) Does not arise.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: In view of the reply given to question
[a) that the laundries ore not considered as shops within the meaning of the
Act, will the Hon’ble Minister take steps to so amend the Act ibat the
laundries do oome under the meaning of tne Act?
I Mr« HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: The suggestion of the honourahle
[inetnbmr will be taken into consideration by tne Cfovemment.
82
QUESTIONS.
[13th SispT.
Mft 4m 0i QUPTA: Is the Hon’ble Minister aware that notice of a non
official Bill re^rdiiifr the commercial and mercantile firms assistants hai
been given and does the Hoii’hle Minister think it desirable to sponsor sncl
a Bill from the Treasury benches?
Mr* HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: It will be considered by Government.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: With reference to answer (6) whereir
it is stated that the Hon’ble Minister is not aware of any of these privileges
having been denied to these employees, will the Hon^ble Minister please
make enejuiries and ascertain whether actually these employees are deprived
of the privileges or not ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: If these employees are deprived of any
privilege it is open to them to bring it to the notice of Government.
UNSTARRED QUESTION
(answer to which was laid on the table)
Opmtiofi of Shops and EstaMishmonts Aot, IMh in raapeot of laimdiiaa.
fO. Mr# BHUPATI MAilUMDAR: (n) A\ ill the llon’ble Minister in
charge of the Department of Commerce, Lalxmr and Industries be pleased
to state whether it is a fact —
(i) that the laundry shops are not included among the list exempted
from the ojMjration of the Shops and Establishments Act, 1940;
and
(ii) that the shojis not so included are to olwerve one and a half days’
holiday during a week under the provision of the same Act?
(h) If the answer to (a) is in the atfirmative, will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state whether he is aware —
(i) that the owners of the laundrj^ shorn; do not abide by the provision
made in the Shojw and Establishments Act, 1941), in respect of
holiday and working hours;
(ii) that the employees of the laundry shops have to work till late at
night; and
(iit) that they get no holiday at all?
(c) If so, will the Hon ’hie Minister l>e pleased to state —
(t) the reason therefor; and
(it) the stens, if any, he proposes to take in the matter of granting relief
to the employees of the laundr>' shops ?
DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE, LABOUR
md INDUSTRIES (tho Hon’bio Mr. ShamsiiiMln Ahntod): (a) Yes.
(b)(t) and (n) Laundries are not “shops” but their clerical departments
are “eommercial establishmenU” within the meaning of the Act, and as
such, the clerical employees are entitled to weekly holidays with pev for
U days. Provisions of the Act relating to hours of work \lo not apply in
the case of commercial establishments.
(in) No.
(c) Does not arise.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: With reference to answer (6) (tit)
whether employees do get any holiday, wM the
Hon M Minister please make enquiries whether they actually get boli^ya
not? *
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
* 6 .]
d8
Mr. NAMIDUDDIN AHMEO: Oovernment think that clerks nr© enjoy-
gf the privilege. If anybody cannot this privilege and if he is
atmeted he can bring it to the notice of Government and Government will
rely take atepe.
Miisige.
Secretary then read the following messages received from the Bengal
legislative Council: —
(1) “That the concurrence of the Bengal Legislative Assembly be
asked to the Bengal Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 1946, as passed
by the Bengal Legislative Council at its meeting held on the
14th August, 1946.”
(2) “That the concurrence of the Bengal I^egislative Assembly he asked
to the Cattle-Trespass (Bengal Amendment) Bill, 1946, as })assed
by the Bengal legislative Council at its meeting held on the 14th
August, 1946.“
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
4S-~Agriculturt and 71 — Capital Outlay on Schamas of Agricultural Improve*
mant and Raaaaroh.
Tha Hon’bla Mr. AHMED HOSSAIN: On the reconiiiiendjition of His
Excellency the Governor, I beg to move that a sum of 11^. d,71,ld,tM)0 be
granted for expenditure under tbe bead “40 — Agriculture'’ and “71---(’apital
Outlay on Schemes of Agricultural Improveiuenl and Besearcb,”
Dr. ABDUL AHAD: Mr Speaker, Sir, allow’ me to (smgratulate our
Hon’ble Finance Minister for his well imagined resourceful Budget for the
year 1946-47 which he had to premire in .such a short time, hut he has given
very little attention about the tillers of the jwiil %vho represent 9(1 per eent.
of the popuktion of Bengal. Ours is 4ni agrieiilluTal (smiilry and the
Hon’hle Minister should have put his he^t thought nud (‘onsidenition !oi the
improvement of the agrieultiirist and their lixestock, even half the Budget
money put on this aeeount could not have l>een excess at all. Our vitality
is in the hands of these people and their existence is in your hands. Their
economic life is on their livestock ami the gniuary they possess. If we want
this country to prosper, we must make our lalxuirers and agriculturists
healthy and prosperous first by protecting their health and animals from the
ravages of the Nature. We must have stronger men, better cattle and
S )ultry, more fighting implements to bleed the mother earth; the present
udget has done very little for it. The little money we have got this year
for the Agricultural Department, out of which Hs. <Sfl lakhs will he spent on
showy building and contractors and Rs. 40 lakhs left ff>r some kind of
agricultural works best known t<i our Ministers. There should have been
more money for the rural uplift. Give the cultivotors health and strength
to grow more food, stronger cattle and poultry, encourage agrir-ulture and
animal shows by suitable rewards. It is a mockery to have a cample of
hundred veterinary surgeons to protect millions of cattle and poultry. More
veterinary colleges are essential and our indigenous eniJe drugs in many
cases can be utilised insteail of all in western method. We should have
proper ’ research on indigenous medicines. Great Britain has five colleges
with well over 2,000 students and one veteriruiry oirgeon in every 15 square
miles. We have one college with 250 students of whom 50 are foreigners.
Tbe pay of a veterinary surgeon is in no way better than a lower grade clerk
or a postal peon. If we want our valuable pimals treated and saved from
spid^ucs we must have thousands of veterinary surgeons everywhere like
owr kuman doctors and they should receive better remuneratioii lev their
maiAteiMUkce.
DEMAND FOE GBANTS.
[13th Ssrr.,
As regards the Haringhatta Scheme that money could have been die-
tnbute<l III ten districls and a general competition would have been set up
amidst these experimental breeders with different climate and soil with
ftxpert advice, llltiinately really beneficial and effective formula would have
been found for the future uplift of the cattle and poultry in this country.
*^veral hundreds of people would have l>een provided in these ten different
jeutres. Fruit and vegetable gardens could have been profitably reared in
these places according to the multi-purposes scheme. There should be more
hulls everywhere in the country to protect our cattle from these indis-
:nrimitiate breeding pasteur land and special vegetations also necessary for
them. Knlesh u e luive enough to eat and more milk to drink we will never
t>e strong and will always remain victims to disciises due to malnutrition,
[t is high time we should do something to our constituent people whom W'e
lave given ^iii h a lot ot high hopes. For bringing about this to practice
im-tKithly, it is imperative that there should not only be close oo-operation
letw^een the Agriculture Directorate and the Veterinary Directorate but that
K>th these directorates may be amalg'€iiiiated into one, having several deputies,
lacli in immediate charge of various sub-seitions of the broad field of
Agriculture.
Uegarding veterinary colleges I have seen in England five veterinary
colleges with over 2,(100 students having a less area of land than Bengaf.
Those students come out here and teach us here all the w^estern methods of
reatmenl. But for manv ot these diseases wdiiih ^icrur here western drugs
re imt suitable ior (hem. Our iiidigenou*' drugs me well worth trying as
heir substitutes. If we have more cidleges and more students over here we
an surely siave our cattle from ejudemiis and untimely death. There are
iianv dise^ises over here which our people are more competent to cure with
ndigenous drugs. I have trieil to give training on indigenous drugs in
iun> [iLices^ but our students never get these instructions in our colleges,
w'ish that there should be s<»me teachers giving in.structions on indigenous
rugs, .so that veterinary surgeons in our lountry can carry on treatment
i^ilh cheaper inedirines locally procured to save our cattie. I hope the
Ion’ hie Minister wdll take s|>ecial care and see that indigenous drugs take
he nbu e ot foreign <lrugs as early u.s possible. There should be a oomplete
veriiauling of the present arrangements of the Veterinary Department.
Th« HOfl’blt Mr. AHMED HOSSAIN: Sir. this much 1 can say that all
\v* constnictive ftUgge>ti(ms ot the honourahle member will receive the
t tent ion of (loveruinent.
The motion of the llon’hle Mr. Ahmed Hossiiin that a sum of
Is. 3.71,13,(11111 be granted lor expenditure under the heads “40 — Agricul-
iire” und “71 — Capital Outlay on Schemes of Agricult unil Improvement
nd llesearch” was then put and agreed to.
41— Vtitrinary.
Thi Hon’ble Mr, AHMED HOSSAIN: Sir, on the recommendation of
lis Excellency the Ooveruor T beg to move that a sum of Rs. 14,09,000 be
Tauted for expenditure under the head “41 — Veterinary”.
The motion was then put and agreed to.
IS— Forttl.
Tb# HOA'blt Mr. AHMED HOSSAIN: Sir, on the recommendation of
lis Exc^llen(‘y the Oov?tiK>r 1 beg to move that a sum of R*. 49,42,000 be
:ranted for expenditure under the head “10 — Forest”.
The motion w-as then put and ngree<! to.
The Houae woa then adjourned at 3-20 p.m. till 10 a.m. on SaturdiTV the
4th September, 1946, at the Aaaembly Mouse, Calcutta.
146.] M
•nieeediiif • of the Benfal LefUIetive Ateeirbly Msembled under
the provisions of the Government of Indie Act, 1935.
The A.<;se»ibj.t in*** in the Assenihlj- Hou.ie, Calcutta, on Saturday, the
14th September, 1946, at lO-o a.m.
PrMtfit:
Mr. Sjteaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Nurvl Amin) in the (^hair, 8 HoiiUile
Ministers and 264 members.
Obituiry.
Mfs SPEAKER: Latlies ami ^entlfineii, beiore we proctHnl with
(he busineHw of the Houae it is my iueIanehol\ duty to reler to the death of
Mr. Kishori Mohan (’howdhury, a member of the n(iw defunct Heuffal
Ij<*irislutive (’oumil. Mr. Kishori Mohan (’howdhurv represeiitetl the old
Ben^ml Lejrislative ( tnineil from the Kajshahi Ntm-Muhammadan ('onsti-
tuenry. His selHess services to the cause of the motlierland won him love,
respect and admiration from all. He was the President of the Hajshahi
Bar Association.
Ladies and i^entlemen, our .sympathy goes with his family, and 1 am
sure it is the desire of the House to convey our message of condolenri* to
the members of the bereaved family.
I now request you, ladies and gentlemen, to signify your assent hy rising
in your seats.
(The memherM ro.se in their seat.s.)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Secretary will do the needful.
Meet Committee’s Report
The Hon'Me Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: Sir. In fore you
proceed with the normal business of the House, I beg leave to submit that
the time for suhniission of the Ketiort of the Seleef (’onimittee on the BiUiga)
Non-Agricultural Tenancy Bill la* extended to dlst DccemlMT, I94tl.
Sir, on a(‘coiint of the unusual circumstances and abnormal eooditioiis
prevailing in Calcutta the Seln-t (.’onimittee could not he convened, and
therefore I request for the leave of (he House to extend the time to JHat
December, 1946.
Mr, SPEAKER: Is there any objection? (There was no objection.)
The leave of the House is granted.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS^
37— Eduoation — Catiartl.
The HOfl’ble Mr. SAIYEO MUAUAMUDDIN HOSAIN: Sir, on the
recommendation of His Excellency the Governor I beg to move that a sum
of Rg. »3, 40,20, 600 be granted for exjienditure under (Im* head “67 —
Education — General ’ ’ .
Mr. JWaker, Sir, in moving for grant of the demand I may at the outset
tell the House that the demand represents practically the estimate of
expendifure ealcuiat#) by the Permanent (officials of (hivernment bef<»re the
maturation of th#* Ministry and it does not reflect the indicy which the
Ministry have in fiew. The Ministry did not g«*t sufficient time to study
the various probieilb and formulate definite schemes before the budget being
sent to the Press, But since then more than two months have elapsefl and
ibe Minit^ is now in a better position to give some idea of the decisions
ihty are likely to take on the urgent problems which confront the country
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
[UtB Sbft.,
in connection with educational needs and requirements. I should like, Sir,
to state here very briefly the main problems of the Education Department
and the way we propose to deal with them. The first and the foremost
problem is tne inauifuration of free and compulsory education in the province
with the least possible delay. The ultimate cost of making primary edu-
cation free and compulsory throughout the province has been calculated to
be in the region of Ei crores per annum and this huge amount is considered
us wholly beyond the resources of the province. But whether it is wutbin or
beyond the resources, the country is not prepared to wait any longer. Free
and compulsory primary education is one of the most e.ssential needs of the
country and it does not brook any delay. Jf all the advam^ed countries of
the world could introduce it succe.ssfully without being bankrupt, we should
certainly be able to fall in line with them. Experience of otlier countries
has shown us that once primary education is made free and compulsory and
it is imparted efficiently, the country grows in wealth and the question of
finance does not stand in the way. In this view’ of the problem I am per-
sonally extremely anxious to take the bold step of introducing free primary
education on compulsory basis from next year at least in the few districts
of Bengal where the IViinary School Boards have been working satisfac-
torily. No final decision has been taken on this point but we are busy
collecting facts and figures for enabling us to take quick decision. I am
hoping to be able to introduce free and compulsory ediicatioii in u few
districts at least by January next.
The question of increasing the pu> of the primary school teachers does
not broke a moment’s delay. The increase is already oveidue. Their pay
must be substantially raised in order to make the teachers contented. The
provision rna^e in tne budget will not be sufficient for the piiriwse and I
am afraid I will have to approach the House for supplementary provision.
Mere increase in the pay of teachers will not ensure better quality of
primary education and so elaborate arrangements have been made for eflS-
meut training of teachers of primary schools by sending a batch of qualified
young men abroad and also by giving intensive training to another batch
bv sending them to reputed centres of learing in India. Arrangements are
also being made for increasing the number of inspecting staff and giving
them a reasonable ivumber of schools to inspect in order to make sure that
the huge amount we will be spending on primary education i.s usefully spent
and we get our money’s worth in return. At present, Sir, a Sub-Inspector
of Schools is in charge of ICO schools on an average which it is impossible
for him to inspect in addition to his duties of attending to clerical work
of his office.
Arrangements will also have to be made for maintenance of an atmos-
phere of education in the rural areas by establishing libraries and adult
education (entres in every union, as otherwise, it is apprehended that the
ordinary cultivators and labourers’ children after coming out of primary
school will relapse into illiteracy within fiv^ or six years.
As to secondary education we must improve the quality of education by
establishing one substantially aided Government high school for boys in
every thana gradually and one substantially aided gins’ high chool in every
subdivision, if possible. ^
In order to prepare the country for industrialisation we should have one
technical high school in every subdivision to start with and eventually one
in every thana.
For college eduratiotr it will be the policy of Government to encourage
establishment of colleges in rural areas, specially science colleges, so ^at
the benefits of higher ^ucatiou mav be enjoyed by the poorer class of people
and the iMux of students to unhealthy surroundings in the cities is checl^
to a certain extent.
This being the age of science and the industrialisation of the oonntry
being our object, all kinds of facilities will have to be provided in eeteoe
DEMAND FOR 0RANTS.
9t
alleges for pursuit of scientific experiments and research. With Uiis
Meet in view liberal grants are contemplated to be ma<le for e<|uipment of
:Doratorie8 of science colleges, both Government and private.
For advancement of higher technical education, the Shibpore Engineer^
ig College is going to be expanded and developed at a cost of about
ikhs of rupees annually. Tne college will bo manned by technicsd men
f European and American reputation. A first grade Engineering Ckdlege
D the same lines with an additional department for textue engineering is
oing to be established at Dacca. Pilot factories will have to be attached to
leEngineering Colleges for teaching the production of finished products.
. large number of highly educated young men are being sent to England
nd America for higher scientific and techuit al education ho that on return
ome they may help the (country in starting fm torics and thereby pave the
ay to industrialisation.
We have also to pay more attention to the physical training and discipline
f the young men of the country and with that object in view qualified
oung men and women are being sent abroad for special training and a
i’'outn Welfare Officer is going to be apiminted very shortly to guide the
youth movement on right lines and to see that the young men of the country
grow up as well disci^ined and al)le«bodied men who could take their stand
against any nation of the w'orld for the honour and independence of their
motherland.
Sjiecial attention has to be paid the making up of the leeway in the
education of the backward communities, like the Scheduled Caste Hindus
and the poverty-stricken Muslims. Special facilities must be provided in
the shape of hostel accommodation, stipends and siiecial grants to the
students of such backw’ard communities and wh' have taken these up in right
earnest.
Special provisions have t(T be made for sei tions of population requiring
education of special ty|)e suited to them and this netiessitates money being
provided lil>erally for inadrusaliH and tols and also for European ana
Anglo-Indian edin-ation and increased allotmentii for these are also contem-
plated.
Large amounts of money had to be provided for dearness allowance of
teachers of all classes. It is true the allowance provided for aided college
and school teachers is very low', but I wish 1 could increase it substantially
without prejudicing the claims of other urgent demands on our liniitea
resources. The increase in the pay of primary scluxil teachers and the
increase contemplated in the aided school grants will, I hojie, relieve the
distress of the poorly paid teachers to a certain extent.
Sir, I have given an outline of the educational policy of Government
and I hope it will be seen that nothing requiring attention has oeen lost
sight of. I am extremely anxious that the country should advance in all
the different spheres of education according to a well-thought-out programme
and speediest methods should be adopted to make up the leew'ay so that
within a reasonable time we may prove to the world that our beloved
country is not behind any advanced country. May God help us in achieving
our cherished goal.
Mr, SPEAKER: Does any member want to speak on thisP
Dr. A. M. MALIK: I want to speak.
Mr.^KAMAL KRISHNA RAY: Go a point of order, Sir. May 1 know *
whether any cut motion has been moved or notP
Mr* SPEAKER: No cut motion has been moved.
Mr. KAMAL KRISHNA RAY: On what is he speakingf
Mr. SPEAKSR: On the main demand. Everyone ia entitled to apeak
OB the mom demand.
DEMAND FOB OBANTS.
[14th Sew.,
0r, A, HH. MALIK Speaker mtn, speech^
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40
DEMAKD FOB GRANTS.
[14th Skpt.,
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DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
41
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^ ^ to ffci ntonsn i irrf ▼ nton ir (?rtn tff^ ▼ctpt c-n to
TO CTO to ^5rc»R TO totni torn to to to i tog* cwnti tff^TOTn toto
new \n»TO to? 4-f®-rn-wtt '« wtot c^im wtonn c?fn »^3 wm? wte?? i iro? cro
torn wT? fw nrom wro cn »mc# >r???r? w?to i ^fsTws nfiw^nm m tot? wtw
^TW ITTTO ^nWlR 4W5?rlt 5T^ 4Wf^‘t‘^, toft Cl 4fto*^ 41*1!^' 41? 4^
^5^ff? >n?n 4-5 w?i
^TOR TOR? c?tc^n-TOn iwfrr cTO tfnn wfwr? inn tor i 4 »nr# ?cnl
r?cwro orm toR 1 ^n*Tff??i tocw to? fnwr? wtcitw? innitro? wf^cTO itton? 1
&|>plied chemistry tot? CTO TOtnt c?^ ^nniRR? wnTOf? i ficTO toR rtf? wr?T c?
n? cf«?i ^TOR Piiw wr ntro ^ ?cn^ ^ro? iT?m 1 4?? wfscnfcnw
TO «fTlt TO n^nr? fTOR TO nifw 1
if^wf? ?f%cw? w’TTO? w«n nni ?cto : 4?: cRi ?f? c? ntinn itwr^ft? cr?^ ?iwr^ jnf«pr ^
?%w? c?<t WTO WTO I "TSTO WR? ^tor TOftit tfR^w tom cTO to?
iRrn TO I 5i80-fi5 TO |>mR to tfRto few to?i an .> ww, iRrfiw fR sXi' ^ wn,
■ 0 w?, TORT w' ^ 4Vs ^tonw TOTcw ^ w? i n.’wn nfto? cro to cnl? i
to cwu CTO, TOfw, 41? fw ^ inrtfRTt? ^nnTO? cucici it^nt? jnnwfc?? wrri wro
enfriR I 1 toprw to « to? to? to ^torc?? ck? wrts we? 4?: n wto: we? ^ro?
WTO I to? m ?Tw^w wR m to? ??i? c?e^ tocw to f?? ( few? c?^ ir^e^,
wRt fwew? m ?to i toi to:? wRr *tww wf??#? wr 4W ?rrw witT? i itirto «
fTWR TO wtw 4*5 c?e 9 froew c? ?f?w ??Tf?cwi new w^ to mwtcwR wtw wfir? WiHR wnr
^r%itw I ?f?Tto ^ TO torew w^jwtto; wcw fto? to w it c ’g^ we? i 4ir wem ??wr
we? wfwtft wRiewR i Whr wter? ?rf??R wewr tr^ gr w few wRx ^to? wrte^fft? ?Rt] ?Rr5
we? TO wft? ffeann ?^ wi fwcwt wrw it%? to wte? i
tfwi 's TO w*w^ ??few? fwwR ?iewR to? ??rw fit v? i 4t w? ??Tew? ow? ciRi
TO WW ?WR TO TO? TORR W^5f#Rl I ClTO !fRtoF toRR CWJW TO TOl CWTO
ft to wtwR ttin witwi cTOiw w toRe w c? 'sn ww#^ i fwto wt^ w wwirt cwr cwr
tofcwi TOR? wtwittff cTOW'frwweww fwwR wwwi iww cf^i wt wwtwwwi fi wi wwew
^TOw wrtf w^wto 4ff% WWW wi I
42 DEMllfD fOM mAltfS. [14m Sept,,
^^*mr «itw <?f «nrfi %fw5r (?rffOT^ i ^ r
^ W(\ f-rfrjf ^-stTw fm ^xym \ ^ w
f^ *nfin fk??? I c?ni, ^ wrcfft^ (TWtn wfS'sTr^
W'n’TTS TOO? I cnffeir^ ^ i Techiucium 4 ?
ftar 4?i crm ’TPrTt? >T^firt:? i *ftc?rtf^ f%3?r fer ^raim ^ wt^ftc^i
«ron:^ wifintr^^n c^itfOT^ fiT'tR *t^pm csrti^ -n35¥?i »o, c^^fts
cf*n I *n:^ ^ c’lc^, fWR? c^f’^yrR?
1 ^ fixffi "mw ^f? cwt^tfir c?^?n ’rt^nr psrri
♦rff5f4r^ I
MAULANA HAJI MUHAMMAD QUA8EM : Speaker ?cmr. ^
Cf ^tFTm 1 ^ 1 ^ CTO TOTl 4 snr ^Tt^l ^ TORf ^ 0^ c^
Ir* TOrt? ^ 5ltCW^ TO C*f3?n ycTO C^ fr? ’t? TO¥ ^fTOl ^'TO
TOn?i TOfir ^ *8&i ?fTOi f^5n ^8^ TOmm ^i mror yc^i,
TOT^ tffv f^*tcHl ^rtTOl ^StC^'Q C^ ^T^l TTO TOC^ I TOtTOJ 4fTO
wtft nf Fit c^ c?J? ?rimi ’ifti f%cn^ f^n:^ to^t 4^; Old scheme
TOW? ?RT TOIfl ^i ?TO TO C»R I 4?^ New Soheme4’3 C? High
TOW? TOW c»f3?i ?r5c^ VQ ?c?i 5T?i ?^TO tr^ cwTO c?<n m ^i8c?
Girls’ High 4?: Junior TOfni tcto ; ^ ?wn TO i ?r5?T; Wf? w-n ?ff? c?
Girls' High 4?; Junior TOW? wm TO TOn TO? TO ^ ?mi toct? i
WTO ?^?i TO ?fc?^? c? frot? ?«TO cnjwi twitro TO ; to TOif c?tiii
?i, TOPt^rr I 4 wft ^15 TO ?5TOTr¥? 1C? I fV« WTOi fF^n ^TO c? ^rcTO? 'mnf
TO? ?’r5 ?^T TOr* ; wcto fW cro TO i www cto cf to® toto? tftTOR i
4TO TOTTO TO ®m WCTO ^ ?? TOW CTO ®TTO ®m TO? 4CTO TO ^5^ TC?
4»Wft Culture nnrrcro f%®? toc? ?i, f^ ®i csrt'l cTO jTO i TO4? wrf? ?lt towtc^
wjcit? ’fir® TO c? r®f? ?rTOT? tff® m fro? to c«r 4?^ TOwufi! to ?nTO '^TO®
?r3 TO TO ?W r®r? TON ?1TO TO? I %?? TO Wf? TO? ?rfTO TO ?T;TO WTO
wnTOt 4t r??® All India WfTO^!. ScTOl Conferenee4 WTOl C«fC?C?? C? 4¥?l ?TO
W? T? wjrfv TO ?1 c? Muslim lx*ague4? 4¥^1 !fTO TO? Wc?? ?TOr i WTf
*!*>? TOTO 4?^ toTOl frocf? Wtn? ; 4?; TOT? T5 WcTO WnTOl TOC??
feCTOW W^WC?? f*t¥C? W^WC?? ??C?tf?®l TOTC? I W’fHfCT? TO CW? ®W TO^TS
•l^Wf ?? ?tt I (TOr^ WTOfc?? ¥®TOnr? 4¥^ w ^rora w^rf# to ?i i ws-s?
?ff WTOW 4 »WC?? r?WC¥ neglect WOR TOT? TO ®{^TC® fTOf? ??rCTO TOTl
f¥ TO (W^l WWTTfl 4¥^, WTC® WC?? I 4?: ?T?^ ?#1 ?CTOTO Cn^ fw« Wf? ^^CIT?
wfk c? ?tc? Arabic fnfro c?m«nr Rro tff® c?? ▼??« wrow w wn ?? i 4^t?
tff® it fro 4W ?ff?tc? TOW ?WW«f? Old Scheme, New Scheme 4W Girls'
vunior 4W High TOW, TO® ?TO¥C? ?fwftf?® TO TO? TO TOW WTO? I t?t^
Boarding4f ww wnw to?¥ ttm to toc? fVi tow tow? w?i Boarding
C?TO? WCff? C?TO? wt® TOW TOW We?i ?t?i District Board4? Wcf Wc?f? WC?’^
fkcl? ¥? wi ?) I 4tW!n Wf? ?t?ll? ?fl ?CTOC1? 4frc¥ it W¥^? Wff? c? WCWf ?t»WC®t
Boardings? ?TSW Wc?^ ®tc»? iw {%f? www swtfi to ??lcw? ?t?w ¥#? i ww wro
4?? ??c?; W?? tV| ???!? f?? I Primary ?ic?3 WTO TO ?W? Wc?? ?c?c?? i
c? ?fCl Wl? (¥| ?»rc® TO W I wf? TOW TOTO ¥CI¥t ¥?1 ??TO I WH ¥ft 4 ??C«
4¥lt ?W??I
KHAN BAHADUR NURAZZAMAN ; TOtli Speaker ?CTO?, WTO ?1 ?t toto ?W ?C»r.
npTWfir it4TOi¥W?wwi TOwfw??c® TOW?®:iftw?tm<fc??l^ft?n¥W,l%ttW^
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
4$
fifftf fim nf 5^11 4tJ! ft¥! fro r«it fffti 4 >ra ir^s wm ^
r ! Univewitvc® ^^Tc:*!twi ftnftf i wwwi w^ fro Wt
cH^ fw 4^ ▼ti wfif cf *ftr» w ?n Tcwf c»T
inn ’n. f-w *n:^ ^ i ^
^ ^ ^^t=r5i Btfii. wmi c^f^. wn fsftwm tT?h? ffir, ffi ^ftiifwi
C ifcv *r^ *nn?i C4 ’f^n ^ ft;»n ^ f»r:^ csti ▼wt^, wnm ;iWrv
■tfim yfc tl C^l *f^T^ WWfl 3Tt5 ^THTfl 41^ irt '4^^ ¥ft"-
I ^ 4 l ^ * ^tVtf ’Ki'f 4 fT^l»^^t 4 5^4 I * 4 tW -fl^R fiirs
C 4 t 4 I C 4 ^ ¥C 4 »mi» itfirs to fm
M 4 fv»n gwf rw 5 fTii cM>TOf Tto to cn^rs TOfi crow Rt w cro
Htn ;n f TOTO ^n^n «rr TOf tpro^ * 1 ^ ^cto Tti toi cfi*) f «ffi to rt i
I R ^ Infective f^i i af] 4 ¥Pi Admittwi fact wfTOl
r-TfT C^t'<PI Tto 4=!P. Pif ^ ?« *TO ^ C?t*T
it:»fi I ^ ^ n;ciTr<r 5 to TO
■ ir 4 ^ffi (’omraittiH- TO Kcport r;j 5 i 44 t c>iP Hci^rt injmcfl flTO
rpin ‘’infR i
wmi ’Tf^r C 4 c»t ▼f’* o'-r. 4Tim:'»’! s?tt, ¥TO5 !5^f% Jirt,
ir:tr, 5nt, cnw^rt toi cto Mit r. rtropr i n TOmn nrot
C^5 TO 'IVH sTf (TO 4tf1 tof I fvi 4? Cn 3irJl fTOC*. CWM jftn
psTCtr?.? to 4 RT JTft ^^1 OfS C ^5 C 4 4 TO C 4 TO, C»r TOf
CTO »r7lf
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\ 5 tTO 4 t 4 i 4 tsii 4 yr 5 xitroro 44 t >rj cto ’ffC'i’ C 4 srot csiti ▼?¥ 4 ) cw^,
rs f44R €nn c?rR 4i c^, c^i4 tot^ 4^i to: 44 i toto ctoi tf4i
f, y ^to4i 4C5T c^ »r4 =yz yfl '.n -f^i to *n. 4f«fa ^tRirsn to
C 4 TO* TO 4 4 C 4 i Pjh iTm cnMV.^ cnt TO to i '«r. 7 Tt.iT CV 1 cw 4 T;»ti Ofx-nr
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¥f< 4 Pl I f¥ 'TO 5 t 4 TO C 4 *!") TO! TO V TO ¥!t 4 4 ) i 4 !?!t 44 CTO 4^5 ¥ 41 , 44 CTO
C 44 '^ TO 4 t 4 ¥41 ; ¥t 44 4!;41 TO 4 C 4 i *lf ^4 wIt 4 CTO 1 TO 4 C 44 Tr 3 TO (% ¥C 4 ¥l 4 !t 4 i
TO ¥f 4 r 3 TO C^<\ TOTPn 4 t 4 ( «RTTOC» 4 l 4 r 4 C 4 ¥' 3 ;frl 4 T 4 TOl, TO CTOl, C^WT
TO fTORl ¥C 4 ; r¥¥ mm C 4 r 4 ¥«r :¥41 41 R ¥C 4 ¥n ¥T! 4 !r 4 ¥f 4 ¥fC«. ¥'5 aCTO 41 ¥15
441 R 4 yCTO I 4 f 4 ^ C 4 ^ C 444 T 4 r 444 44 ; ¥m C 44 i:t 5 TO, ¥4 4415 , ¥94 44 C 5 Cf-A ¥44
f¥ ¥C 4 ¥41 4 !? I C 4 ^ 44 rTO 4 ^ ¥ 4 l 1 ¥tC¥t ¥! 4 tTO TO Sohoolfl 4 lf 4 t;f!llt,
4 tT 4 i 4 TOn 44 4 t^ 4 rt^ 4 f 4 C 4 !fr!T¥ Schoolii % ffTi m ¥¥ 3 : Matriculation
•rim ^f4 Reader, ^f4 f^npCT c¥T4 4? 4t^ y«4t 44¥T4 44; c4^ 4lTOf cftroi C4i*t
Mark^ 4 H ¥IC^ to i i^rii 4 CTOl to fw 4 fCi Matriculation 44 jii ^ TO fit
4 rTO 44 *. cicinn W 4 ¥r 4 4 H 4 to, C 4 f^ c 4 r¥ ¥( 5 ™ to 1
44
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[14th Sept.,
nil inw ircfT ^ Tfs? ff€ti i »rf -sr# ^ ^ c¥ff c¥rt? ^
orrw c^r (7f »rfci c^m fimr^ Account ^rtt, c¥W *rfw»t3n
¥1^ cm ^ ^ 3n, 35T TO sn, c^-ifsn i ^ Jr^f^r atf?n ^ shf
^fTO rm TOTff ®tvnft toftto m i mm cm rm m f$ f^,
1^ -ns TOW, 1^ 115 TOif^n, 1^ 1^ stTO win? inft to w^tti fwE ^a:li
fro TOi CTO, <4Pi m tfwi c*fi, 4TO 1TO rwi to? w?j, w% wwt, fwf
wn Vffw I wlcwt wftf? TO tni mr wm cro School, College wto ??, cm &m
WTO Tf , 1TO fWI TO? WSTT« C5?f? TOt? I ?rr3 CH ?1 WTO (71 1TO l^f?
wmrw I wtf? ?mici? i?? ?ifi i wrf? ?nft frofro, ciiro ?e citw wmto ?cto '4?t?
If ?t?l frocf , C? WWJl fw TO CTO 4fR?1 Wlf^Rl I m Wt?f? TO ?? c? ?fTO^ fMw
?7tf? frocl? C??? ?'CWt?f *»?▼!? If? W.171S 1?Jf TOm *f?ft? I
Wt? WTt? ^1!)^ wn ^??tf» 1TO ?TO ^ I wmi Cl>?? wf? C? Wf??l flf^,—
( Here the member reached the time limit. )
Mr. Sptakfr : You have reached your time-limit ; please sit down,
HU8AN ARA BEGUM: Air. Speaker, Sir, I want to draw the attention
of tlie House to the condition of girls’ education in Bengal, especially in
Calcutta. There is a dearth of girls’ education especially Aluslim girls’
(Klucatioii, in Bengal. Lucknow in the United Provinces is (juite a small
town compared to Ualouttu, ibut, there they have facilities lor many colleges
and educational institutions for girls. The girls’ schools and (‘(illeges in
Calcutta are inadequate, for during the past few years the Muslim girls
are progressively coining forward for education. At present we have only
two .schools, the Sakhwut Memorial High School and the Suhrawardy Memo-
rial School which is a middle Kuglish school. The M. A. 0. Girls"
School, of w’hich my humble self is tlie founder, has been transferred during
the war emergency period out <»f Calcutta. It will he coming hack to
Calcutta by the beginning of next year. Now in these two schools there
are many girls who cannot get admission at the present nioment. So I
would request the Hon’ble Minister to give special attention to tlie cause
of muslim girls’ education. The Calcutta Corporation to whicli I am thank-
ful have given facilities for the education of girls. But that too is not
sufficient, although they are doing their best. It is the Government whom
1 ask to come forward and s(dve this prohleiu. It will not be out of place
to mention that we have at the present moment one training school for
Muslim women students in Cab utta, and even that Muslim Primary Train-
ing School which bad been working in Calcutta has been transferred since
1942 to Suri. I do not know when it will come back to Calcutta. It is a
g reat drawback to the training of Muslim girls. I would request the
lon’ble Minister to appoint a women educationists’ committee which will be
able to solve the problem of girls’ education in Bengal, and I hope special
attention should be paid by tnem to the selection of text books. So without
wasting the time of the House I would request the Hon’ble Minister to
Lave a women educationists’ committee as soon as possible. I would like
to mention that Miss Gupta, Inspectress of Schools, had done very great
propaganda about six vears ago in forming an Education Week in Bengal.
Then there was an Education Week — Western Bengal Education Weelc —
in which much work had been done in bringing eoucationists from other
parts of Bengal to Calcutta. I have spoken to Miss Gupta about it and I
lave been promised every help in this matter so that we could have another
propaganda week like tlat in Calcutta. At the present moment, everything
IS at a sUndstill. I, therefore, presume that tie Hon’ble Minister ’would
pay special attention to form a Women’s Committee of Education,
Mr. IBRAHIM KHAN: Sir. I am afraid 1 shall be failing in my duty
if 1 do not support every word which has fallen from the lips m the honour-
able speak^ra who have just discussed before me about the insufficient
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
4S
^vision in almost every branch of education in cmr country. Sir, I ahall
take much of your time by speaking on a number of suDjeota. I shall
wtly invite your attention to the sad lot of the primary teachers. Con*
fences have been held in subdivisions, conferences have been held in dis-
Icts, conferences have l>een held in provincial headquarters. Deputationa
ive been sent up, resolutions have men drafted and forwarded, and all
lese possibly have been relegated to the waste paper basket becausft we find
, effect that the worse than l>eggarly allotments that have been made for
le increase of the salary of the teachers are practically an insult to the
ijurv on the primary teachers. It is a standing refiection on the intellect
lal leaders of the country that they have jwrmitted these primary teachers
I rot in the condition in which they have Iwen f»>r years together. I think
aless a definite assurance is given by the llon’hle Minister in charge that
iomething more will be done than what has been provided for in the budlpst
for bettering the lot of these primary teachers there would be a definite
revolt in the rank and file of the primary teachers.
I would next invite your attention, Sir, to the very insufficient provision
for the supervision of thcvse priinarv srhools. Most oi these Sub- Inspectors,
so far as I know, an* engaged in doing more clerical work than inspection
work and it is a universal complaint , at least in my part of the country, that
no education worth the name is being imparted in most ot the primary
ScloKils in mofussil. It is. theref(»re, extiemelv important that just as tho
proHjiec ts and the salary of the teachers should be improved at the earliest
possible opportunity so also much more efficient arrangement must be made
tor the efficient teaching in the schools that are already existing in the
country.
Next I would invite the attention of the Hon’hle Minister in charge to
the primary education among the girls in mofussil side. Some years ibaqk
a ftcheine of co-education in the priniary H< ho(ds was formulated and
enforced. Itightly or wrongly mofussil parents have practi(*ally declined
to send in their girls to primary schools for lioys and it has been seen for
years together that the scheme has not proved a success so far aa (U)-eduoBtio»
IS concerned. The result has been that where formerly some independent
primary girls schools existed, at present though general scdiools have multi*
plied in number, those for girls must have multiplied in the negative side,
and it is difficult to find a free primary school for girls in hundred villages.
I feel that that scheme of co-education should be abolished and separate
institutions for the girls should he provided without any further delay.
Next I would invite the attention, just as a learned and honourable
friend has done before, of the ITon'ble Kdiicution Minister to madrasah
education. That education is being sadly neglected. I know that in answer
to this complaint the old tale would ne told and retold that there is a
shortage of money. I have never lieen able to appreciate the worth of this
kiu<4 of contention. When there is a war in the country money is foi'iid
from possible arid impossible sources and in our country ours is a condition
of war — war against ignorance — and as (»ur noble Prophet said centuries
ago, of all crusades the crusade against ignorance is the noblest, we should
take up the question of education in that spirit of crusade and should be
prepared to find money from possible and impossible sources. We cannot
rest satisfied like “progressive realisation of self-Oovemment" of Mr, Lloyd
George, with the hope of progressive realisation of educational ideals. We
cannot go to the grave with the holy consolation that our great-great-
grandsqps will find primary education universal and compulsory in the
country when grasses will grow on our graves. We want to see the thing
before we go to our grave; we want to see that our country has already
made rapid progress in the field of ediicafioii and in the field of progress.
I therefore once again invite the attention of the Hon’ble Minister to the
imperative necessity of making immediate arrangement in all these direc-
tions.
With these words, Sir, I resume my seat.
BSXAND FOE GEANTS.
[14th Sept*,
Or, MOZAMMEL HOIIAil : fmllrSpeiUuirfcvtTf,
*bto iffffi iffcff wi TOCTi? c¥ipn ’rfOTTcff
nfiNtsf *n^ 4 t; '* 11^ «!i fw Ftfirs m \
41 icf im^f lit ici^on fiici ▼(! 1 tjnf ic^n 4^ ci constituency
flltci 11 cwin fintci ifr cic*rcfi technical iiwi oreifi iritiv iffi n n ^sfiar
<w»nt f^fci ’fr? ifn i !5tvrlt n engineering t$t fcti ifci 4rfi fifTO sffti 1 cwn frlfci
constituency ftrifrf !fOTf cw»ti h constituency cieiTi inffi mil,
lfr« ^ 4t sTvTit n Engineering itti fw !ft« icij *lTci 1 4fwn it cien I
4n Mj icii Cl Cl 11 ^ ^sini 4in wm ititm iwfri cim
representative ci OTff fell elev 4t5;f^ H. E. School t5c^ 1 cn
school yfl lrl50 5T^ lCl'9 ^1 4<R9 Itlfll 'll'K Wfit Iflfir m 411
f% 1/150 4fVi¥fi Cl n school affiliation c'tcici ci? il school 3 grants-in>aid
n c¥ti ififir ^tti ift f linen icu fWi 5t^ i^r^m school
tif»i tnf<ir imiT •mr ^ firi ifr5 4 ^ ^jt irci^ ^nfi initi fi^i ilt lymcn ^
4 MI ▼fi, C¥ill ifOTfcn cicn representative ^i¥ 1 irtlti *t^ilt in 11 i c '^T Cf i ^ 4ffl
Hi 1 ¥11, Cl primary fiiiTrcii CT313 m 4111/^ i itrs free primary frvi 4fFCl
5f^ w m WIT wffi wnn vs wfirfci 1
Mr. TAFAUAL ALI: Mr. Sj>eukei. Sir, this moinin*^ 1 will confine
inysell solely to the problem of junnary etlucation in this Tn^viuce. 1 will
delilxerutely refrain from speaking on secomlary education, because I
nnderstumi that legislation for improving the secoii(lar\ education of the
1‘roviuce is under the ('ontemplation of the Uovernnienl. 1 will jiresent,
Sir, only three aspects of primary education in Heiigal lieiorc the llouse!
Broadly all the lionouruhle inemhers will agree with me that the sponsors
of the J*riuiarv Education Act had certaiul\ in their view free primarv
education in this Erovinci*, hut as a matter of practice 1 have tound that
the primurN education that is beiii^ imparted to the province (d Bengal
now is not really free. In spite of the fact that tenants have got to jiay tax
at the rate of di pice u rupee they are not allowed a free i»rimury sclidol in
their urea until thev construct the building at their own cost, iuovide for
the furniture and all other instruments necesssary lor running a primary
school as well as the land. After they have imurred all the expenditure
they are given the privilege of having only three luwlv-paid teachers,
pnerally half-educated teachers, to teach the hoys of that particular insti-
tution. 1 uni speaking from the experience of my district among about two
thousand free primary schools opened in my ‘ distrit t— it ha.s not lieen
po.ssible in any one case to open a free primary school solely at the cost of
the District fvdiool Board of Tippera.
Another aspect of primary education in Bengal is that supervision that
IS exercised on jirimary education is hopelessly inadequate^ In one parti-
cular police station there is only one officer to supervise the priman* educa-
tion of 70 to ^ 100 free primary schools in that area. Since one Sub-
Inspector of Schools has got to supervise so many whools, it is physically
imp^sihle for him to keep an effective check either on the attendance of
teachers or on the attendance of Imys. As a member of the District School
Board of Tippera I have found that in many cases unfortunately neither the
boys nor the teachers do their duties as efficiently and as faithfully as are
expecte<l of btiih of them. It is bound to be so due to the sc;ant supervision
that is exercised on these free primary schools. I do not know whether
Government have yet thoi^ht of any scheme for exercising more effe<>iive
supervision' over the running of these free primary school in the ruial
areas.
The tkW aspei'^t that I want to place before the House has been referred
to by two honourable spe^ers, namely^ the low wages that are being offe^
to the teachers of free primary schools. I would not call it “pay”; I would
47
16.] DEMAND FOR OEANTS,
$
it wages. The result has been this. During the pre-war periixl we,
iirticularly in our district, had beeu able to attract a good number of
iHitriculatea to work us teachers of free primary schools, but bt'cause of the
mr these matriculates have been attracted to posts of better rt*muuerat ion
[ue to the opening up of various depurtments both* temporary and jH*Tinuuent
the Government of the Province as well as % the Central Government.
Hie result has been that it is very difficult to find «nii at the pn*sent moment
me matriculate even in five scho<ds. I hapncu to be <M»nne<‘ted with one
ree primary school directly, luHause it is iniucr the (\nnmittcc of Manage-
nent of a Ifigh English Sehm>i ot which 1 have the privilege of being ine
President. I can say that it has l)ecn impossible i»>r me to find out a
nafriculate to serve in this free primary school section of the high schiH>l,
because of this low pay. Government have g(d to take up these tJiree things
immediately. First of all, Government must make it really free and not
mddle the poor men with another burden of finding out the land, the house,
the furniture and all other instruments of the instilution. Seeondly,
[foverument should find out a more eflfe«'tive method of supervising the
running of the sch(M)ls. And last but not the least Government shoiila also
find out money tt) pay better wages to the teachers of the schools in 4»rder
to get the best of them and in order t(» attract g<M»d workers to work in these
free primary schools.
Mr. SHARFUDDIN AHMAD: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would only say a
lew words aimut primary education. Of course many aspects (d this pro-
blem have been discussed here, hut I would only say that like* the lloly
Homan Empire, the litM* primury education that is now' in existence in aome
form in this province is neither Iree, nor compuls<»r> , nor is it any iMlucution
at all. Like the Holy Homan Empire there are only three words and three
mistakes. It is neither lioly, nor is it Homan, mu* is it an empire. It i«.
exactly like that. When this matter was taken up by the sjjonsors <if the
Act as just now suggested by a colleague of mine there was certainly the
idea that primary c(Iucali<»n in Jlcngul should 1 h* overhauled thoroughly.
That w'as the idea ho far as 1 remember when Mr. Arizul lla(jue went on
tour in the districts of lleiigal and spoke about the subject and that was
jtrobahly at the time of Mr. Xazimuddin when he was an l•'xecutiv^‘ l‘<*uri-
L’illor. That wuh the idea which w’uh expressed and given to the rural areas
of Bengal. People fondly hoped that they were going to have a new system
of primary education. With that idea they took it up. And everyone of
my colleague.s sitting over there will, 1 hope, remember that primary edu-
cation was allotted to the district boards of Bengal, and the educationists
of Beftgal, particularly the experts, used to describe it as a fifth wheel ui
the ilistrict Iward machinery and the main idea was to remove that fifth
wheel from the system <»f education. With that idea u new IkmIv, a separate
body, was to be set up to look after [iriinarv cducali»»n, because the district
boards having done tfieir other duties and having given their attention to
public work/i, medical, health, communi<*a(ions and (Uher things had practi-
cally no inclination to devote them.selves to the spread of jirinuiry educa-
tion. From my personal experience of one of the premier district hoards of
Bengal, I can sav that when this Primary F.duration Act was pushimI, one
of tile educational experts, namely, Dr. .fenkins personally approached me
and he placed before me the very same idea, uamelv, that they were going
lo pelieve the district hoards of ftengal of their bunfen and they were going
to give better and more efficient education.
With that idea probably I w‘as the first District Board Chairman in
Bengal to agree and on a careful calculation a sum of Us. 70, (MK) was set
ipart for the district of Mymensingh for facilitating that scheme. Mymen-
ungh was the first district which came forward to accent the scheme. 8o
far as I remember I also as Chairman of the district board supported the idea
ind promised to the district^ that primary education was going to be free,
Mimpulsory, more efficient and more beneficent, but nothing of the sort has
yet been done. For more than ten years schemes and senemes are going
I
48
DEMAND FOB OEANTS. [14th S*pt.,
on but nothing is being produced. Of course, we hear that something is
going to be produced in the shape of exi)enmental compulsion and it is yet
to be seen. So far as the system of working of the Primary Education Act
is concerned, from practical expenence, it has been seen that School IJoards
have been set up in most of tbe districts, but the executive of those School
Boards are fettered by official, I mean tlie District Inspector of Sc hinds, who
is the Secretary of the District School Board. Now the Secretary and the
District School Board Executives are always at loggerheads. The Secre-
tary seldom agrees with (he non-officials and their ijuarrel is going on.
Again tbe Sub-IiJSj)eetor8 of Sehools are under the control of the Secretary
of the Ilistrict School Board. They are permanent officials of Government,
and they hardly listen to the l*resident or the Vice-President of the School
Board, The result is that bills are not drawn up in nroper time. The
Chairman passes orders but they won’t make out the bills for six months.
The j)(M)r primary school teachers are not paid more than Its. IG for six
montlis together. It is really a very unfortunate position. To get pay so
late is equivalent to no pay. So things must be imnroved. This Secretary
business should be finished. Non-officials should be made comi^letely
independent. At present they have nothing to do with the control of the
Suh-lnsnectors of Schools. If they have got to work under the District
School jloard, they must be pla(‘ed under tlic control of the Sclnad Board
Executives. So in order to achieve it the whole Act has got to be amended
with a view to making it workable.
* I would, therefore, request the Hon’ble Minister in charge of Education
to go deep into the matter and come up with a suitable amending Bill so
that all tbe anomalies may be removed and the object f()r which the Primary
Education Act was passed may be fulfilled to the satisfaction of the rate-
payers of the province.
MOULANA ABDUL HAI ; wm f-rwi ’Tfci pcvn?
inf’ll education ivn 5 cm ww 'iTc^TfFTi i (7f^ fiwpj
fwf 51 ^ 11 1 will ^ ci cvr*ni fir’rm
n mil wmm ii c’^FPrl'i
(71 ’ffCf C<ftVl ****♦*•♦
cffiTi *f^ ^ I cKi Cl fifw?; ci>rat*
c*nf ciifw or? firra wnr*! cwnr*? *f?05 ’n vi wcw i c’fg’rj wm ci
- <iTiT C T i if’nflv fTi] lit ivm 'll fmi CR 5m m vt wm ci district m
cn old scheme iWn m 5f05 ’fWif cv^m m old scheme mm
neglected mat i Misiwn, citafcn !ff% mimt’l cit i irrr, iimti mtflpmti,
irunm * * ** *
fifn ititfrf flip I mw wmi Of *tTfmTcsfi w^n *tff?FTm wci
mi oriTf wci wmf| cmt*! iffvwcw wtitcn follow ’sro in i
ort ofTim fTftiw orm wit ci ’nir old scheme mm mn. jffirj
fcsf Jimwfi itcwit cit mmn wu ^ *npn m wn n nt i 4 xwi on mm, fimr
wn ministry ministry 05 on vH m cvmn ? •
^stim wtm ficwR inu ci ^ oftwotm wtfn^ ^cwtj •im wci, 40ff cwm afwlt mit
wim ^*iti ifTitwi ’T?n 'Hi; witw mwi 'nwir wnm nwfi?.
ntff5 \ ffi ^ iti w^ w c wi mm wii n, ci wncwi wn m wri cm
wwTO Cl itmi om 4Wt inmw m, cnt iiw cmn. rni old scheme mm
wf*f otcw *tH wm 5tfi cit f wtwcw m iHn frci 4 ^ iftn it*m wim
fprn Tcii fwi m *ftT? cit Bfni wncwi orm inm wfi i wiw nwrsi riot
^icff mw mm owes *nf5f ci mttn fwirnm wwfit wits m, 4 nra to « wro to-
fW fifi iWit wen wtem ci 4^ f%| wiw
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR ORANTS.
49
tftn college w fi ^ ^ t*r¥li Tcw;— old echeme srfifWi cw iH
TOf vffVw ; 4^: TO ’TTfV CTO, TO crH cfft wnm TO wfrs TO m,
4rv TO f^rcror TOrs to to c>!t to»« to i ^
fl " f Plfr C Tff ^ ^ CRT ^ C^ csll TO*? TOfCf
^ TO ffrn TOTW TO«^ C^ TOTO TO*! 4If: ^;ID CfTO fTOlTOt (TO f^*! nm I
?T«iTO? mfTOTO wt%?irlt Jit minfetTT from TO4 t 1W1 TO TO C»lt TOffTOf
fr r i T c ' f ' ^ !f^ TO fro 3nr Tfstro toti vy*? i ’wfTOi^r f^ir cw ParliaraenUury
Secretary TOCF? C’fTO TO»?! Parliament^wy Secretary ¥fft
TOC^ I bluff c»«?n TO (^5 *T5 1 Parliarueritary Secretary Of
niR fewn Tn ^TOi nwci (?r wif^i i ff TOc*f €tcv oaca wtfm
TO TOi rv *if? TOTTO TO7 fVj TOn *!i ▼^n crtc^i r jj fwn ’eniTO !3'tTOt
r*r? TOii*! vtU ^C'Jt'! ’fffl TO^ ^ TOiTO OQ ol<t Mchcmo ^t»r>n TOl
TOff TOl ^fTT! TO ’TTTO inSTTOW! C<r*! »niJ TO*? I .
Mr. SPEAKER* 1 undcrsfaiid that Mrg. Auwiua Khatuii wants to
8|)cak. She may speuk now, and 8hc xiill he llie last speaker after which
the Hou’ble Minister will reply.
Mrs. ANWARA KHATOON : 3rf.T4h S|wakcr xcTOff : ^tthr RCTOfl fTO »rfcf
nihIP hrroPT fro jrTOt'i tor-i -rsrj ertrsn c*! 5?rr»n to-
c^, fif*! fiRTf*! Jiv. ^TtciR >rfca f^ri hi i *ntc^ TO« rti®
CTO I fVi ^.z C*!. ^:TO totT’^ CTO TOfP CTO n'preaenta-
tives diHtricl4? TOr, cjrf^ OfT'W xirh distriotij otCTO?! FPTC^
high school 4*1: M. E. school TO TO? I TOTTC®''? ratio w^TO
TOms TOTc*^ ’ftftfi Population toto «rt^TO c?ciwi tfW
wrirf' -fVi fro crom TO^ «tt c*!ti tfr^rv diHtricU wvs; JJTfl* to
Government Imys’ school c*f^ TO ^ TO^ta *rT^ vrir c*! boys' s(;hool
TO? totj: T5Qf^ Government girls’ sehexd TOn TOTO i CTOC«nr school
^firc^s CTOC*R TOTf TOff^'n I girls’ 8ch(x>l ^TOTO CTO tea(]heriiw
iiTOtTOni TOTO CTO fnfw5! TO? TO I *!? Post Graduate^ CTO
wTTO f*mt w*n TO? I JiVy c?«RT wff? A. D. P. I. for Mohammwlan Educationu?
?r^i «*!!? TO B. T. ^ CTO c*!Q?n TORI wrfjf TO? «ij? Huggestion cf^
c? ^ C??? % C5?*!^ ?rw?m Backward Community? c^rCTO? wm Jit TOT!
TO! C? appointment 4^ ?Cir? ?Cff B. T. ?H ?to TO I
TO5 TO TO 5?iT fV TOT? ? Rtf? ?l? C? TOm:*R ’JTO?! c? ?r?? TO=!r f C? CW?1-
C1C4 6^ c?t ?nR TO^ cronn s c?*t ?c? c?r5 TO? i c?t ?r?Ti Sfrj i 4 ?: TOrro
Jit c? cto p r school Kbt\ district 4? ?c?T 4? c?R justification c?t,
?R‘t tfc^ cron ^ 4*r crom tot wts; ?to ?r?T? school toi TOnr i c?t
TOH OR CTOTO TOT t?fV >R?T? school ^5^1 7? 1 4? ?i?tC?l toI? |
4?^ OTTO? minister 7f cTOtc? ?TTO to 7? c? cron 4? c??! r?j «n-n ?f05 TOi
*n I 4f or fit tot to i 4 Tto? 4? tor
Tii« Hon’Ma Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOtAIN: Sir, I am
grateful to my honourable friends for making very helpful suggestions in
ihfc course of their speeches. I am grateful to Dr. Malik for putting for-
ward important suggestions for eonsiderution of (lovernment as to whether
the medium of education, both in schools and colleges, should be in the
same language and whether different languages being the media of educa-
tion are not responsible for the worst quality of education in Bengal as
compared to that in other provinees. Sir, that is a very thought-provoking
suggestion and it requires very careful consideration. It will not do for
60
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[14th Sept.,
the Bdudation Department merely to consider it, for it will hare to take the
opinion of the Universities as also of the public at large in order to come to
a decision as to what should be the ineaium of education and whether it
should be in one, language or in two languages as it is now. Now that we
are proceeding towards independence, I think very shortly we shall liave to
do away with these twii languages as the media of education as is now
prevailing.
Sir, Mr. Bahar has criticised why nothing lias been done with regard
to training of nursery school trainers and teachers. 1 have to invite his
attention to No. JtG of the Development Scheme \\ljich deals with training
of nursery schoid trainers and teachers and two women tea<*hers have been
sent abroad for special training to hturt nursery institutions liere later on.
Sir, many of the speakers have spoken alnuit primary education and that
on two or three hea<ls. One is the low pay of the teachers. 1 have already
said in my opening speech that the pay of the primary teacliers is going to
be substantially im^reased, and 1 assure my friend, ^Ir. Ibrahim, that the
increment will he at least three times of what ha^ been put down in the
Budget, that is 22 lakhs. It will come to about u crore.
As regards the (|uesiion of inspection I have also dealt with that in my
ojieiiing speech. *1 have said that at present on an average a sub-inspector
has to inspect 100 schools in addition to his clerical duties. As has been
pointed out by some of the members most of the time of the sub-inspector
is wasted in his clerical work. AiTangeineiits arc being made to relieve him
of his clerical work. It is proposed whether they sh<mld not be provided
with clerks and whether immediately tbe\ could not be given an assistant
Bub-inspector to help him in his inspection work. Kveutuallv our idea is
that not more than sixty schools should he in charge of a sul)«inspector of
Bchools in rural areas.
AVith regard to the efficient w’orking of primary schools I think there
ahould b*‘ good ins[iection and it is by inspection tliat wc exj>ect to improve
the quality of primary education. The question ot buildings and furniture
has been raised by my honourable friend, Mr. T. Ali. 1 admit that primary
education is not now* free but the reason for that is known honourable
mem)>ers. I am not responsible for what happened previously hut I may
tell the House tliat (bjvernmeiit is now' going to undertake compubory free
primary education and they will have to look properly after buildings and
other things also in that connection, flovernment cannot sit idle. They
will have to make arrangements for building houses and other things.
As regards Mudrussah edueatmn some of the hoiu)uiable members have
referred to it by saying that Madrussah edu<‘ation has not been properly
attended to. Sir, 1 am fully aware of the problems connected with
Madrussah education. Just utter assuming office I called a special con-
ference of Madrussah U^achers in order to find out what should lie the proper
syllabus and the future scheme. The mutter is still under consideration
and I think within a short tinw* we will be able to come to a final decision.
But before we come to a final decision we must take the Muslim members
of this House into our confidence. The whole thing will be jdaeed before
them and the final decision will be taken after eousuUation with them.
Mfi MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: What about the Tibbia College?
Tilt Hofililt Mr. BAITED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIM; It is not a
subjei't of the Education Department. It concerns the Medical Depart-
ment.
I mav announce here for information of honourable members that we
have at last decided on principle to accept the Moroin Committee's
recommendations and that a sum of rupees ten lakhs should be set apart for
the advancement of Muslim education in Bengal for a number of years.
As an earnest to that we have only recelftly, only day before yesterday,
decided to allot four lakhs odd for the remaining five months of the current
DEMAND FOB OKANTS,
61
1940.}
financial year for advancing Muslim education in Bengal. Side by side,
Sir, I may say that we are also going to include the education of other
bacxward classes, for example, the scheduled casteR’ education. The
st^heduled caste students are alrt^ady in receipt of five lakhs 'annually and we
are going to increase it in order to accelerate advancement of education of that
community. As regards the Budhists we are going to allot special grants
for the advancement of education of that community. As for Anglo-
Indians I have already mentioned in my opening speech that for Anglo-
Indians and scheduled caste.s ue shall provide increased allotments for the
advancement of their education. These minority communities which are
backward must be helped to the best of our ability.
Sir, Mr. Md. Habibullah Ch(»wdhury has raised the miestion of the
medium of instruction, and also of the language in the text-books which is
so difficult that our students in primary sclu»ols are not able to assimilate
them properly. 1 think it is a very important question and we shall
seriously take into consideration whether a committee of expert educationists
should not be set up to see as to how primary text-lmoks are to be composed
in future.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Are you going to
have such a committee P
The Hon1>le Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN CHAUDHURY: I
think we ought to.
In this connection 1 have just said about the special allatmeni for
Muslipi educqtiou, and I am going to have an advisory committee which will
consider as to what amounts should he siicut on what suhiects. As regards
the constitution of that committee Muslim memhers of the llouw* will be
sufficiently a<'(juaintecl prcviouslv. (hit oi |hat fund it will la* possible to
give special grants for Muslim hostels and for ooor students. My provi-
sional idea is that at lea.st 4,000 primary scIum)! students should l>e given
the benefit of this fund in order that the brainy students may be able to go
^ to liigh schools after finishing their primary sclimd course.
Unless we do something like that, we are m»t likely tt) get any student from
our Muslim community. 1 think 1 have done with most of the points which
have been mentioned.
One point has been mentioned by Mr. Nuruzsuman that there should be
some agricultural course prescribed in nrimary schools. I think that is also
a very neipful suggestion and we should seriouslv consider it and see whether
text books dealing with ordinary agricultural problems should not find
place in our primary school text books.
As regards girls' schools, we have already made provision for training
of special teachers for girls’ scIkhiIh and two special training c(dleges are
going to he started for training of girl teachers and with that object in view
some women have sent ahroan and we arc going to have a Special Deputy
Director for Female Education. We have deidded that there should be a
Special Deputy Director for Girls’ Education and there should be a Special
Assistant InsWtor for Muslim Girls’ Education in order to pay particular
attention to tliis matter. I think everyone of us is aware that Muslims are
very backward in female education and it is, therefore, very necessary that
special efforts must be made to bring our females to the proper standard of
education.
I welcome the suggestion that a committee should l>e set uji for consider-
ing this female education in all its phases and I propose to set up a c<immitte«
of that nature within a veiy short time. The women members of this House
may rest assured that they will he taken into confidence at the lime of
setting up that committee and considering the [lersutinel of that committee.
4^ As regards percentage.o£ female students, 1 think we should try first to
increase the number of female students as much as possible. For the
present they are not meeting with any difficulty in getting seats in colleges
52
DEMAND FOB GEANTS.
[14th Sbpt.,
or schools, but the principal difficulty is that owing to poverty many of the
S 'rls are not willing to go to schtwfs and colleges. Special allotments for
uslim Education nave also been made and we will now l>e able to grant
special scholarships to poor and meritorious girl students so that they may
get the advantage of higher education.
As regards female teachers, as far as possible every effort will be made
to take female teachers, but, at the same time, in the interest of. teaching
we must see that a proper standard is maintained and with the establishment
of the girls' training colleges, I think, this paucity of Muslim female
teacjicrs will disappear witriiii a very short time and we will be able to
supply a sufficient number of female teachers for the girls’ schools.
Sir, with these words I commend my motion to the acceptance of the
ITouse.
The motion of the Ilon’hle Mr. Saiyed Muazzamiiddin Hossain that a
sum of Eh. d,4(),20,(K)0 be granted for expenditure under the head ‘‘37 —
Education — (Jenerur’ was then put and agreed to.
37— Education— Anglo-Indian and European.
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOSSAIN: On the
recommendation of His Kxcellency the (iovernor I beg to move that a sum
of Rh. 11. (i9, 8(H) he granted for expenditure utidcr (he head “37 — Educa-
tion — Anglo-Indian and European”,
Sir, I would like to speak after hearing comments fr<»m honourable
members.
Mn. E. M. RICKETTS: Mr. Sp< ‘uker, Sir. 1 would like to draw the
attention of this House to the fact that although we are very much assured
at liearing from the llonide Minister for Eduoalioii that tin* amount of the
grant fixed lor us is going to he somewhat ln(■rea^ed. yet a‘i a general
assurance is not very satisfactory I wmihl like to imuition soim* .i ilu* j'.irti-
eular diflieiiltieh under which we have been labouring. Our giant was fixed
JO years ago by the Oovernment of India Act as a statutory minimum.
Tins fact, howu'ver, seems to have been ovmlooked and eaidi succeeding
Ministry bus regarded this amount as a .statutoi> maximum ine.s|)e( tive of
t^ lact that the purchasing power of tlie rupee has lessened so ci'n.Nideiahly
ainee the time this figure was fixed.
The very small increase shown this \ear has been explained as an adjust-
ment of arrears of maintenance grants and dearness allowauc'es whicli couhl
not W drawn in lOtu. I would ask the Jlon’hle Minister to take into
consideration the increased cost of living, the excellent lesults prmlueed by
our schools and the fact that although our grant remains theoreticullv at
its minimum yet in practice we are receiving much less than was originally
onvisaged by the (Government of India Act . because although fees (>f our
Goveiumeiil schools have been increased by al>out 50 per cent, during the
war. these fees return to the pneral funds so that our grant even in actual
figures is about 8 lakhs less than is shown on paper. The increased cost of
the maintenuuce of our two (lovernment mIiooIs is more than counter-
balanced by the increased fees paid by parents, which fees, however,
benefit the general funds instead of ours. Moreover, the total grant made
to non-Goverument .secondary schools has, for .some mysterious rea.son, been
reduced th..s ^ear.
In order to keep to tUe spirit of (he statute by which our grant was fixed
on (he average expenditure of the ten years preceding the ^Ist March, 193d,
our budget today should, like that of General Education, he fixed at twice
its actual figure. We do not grudge others an increase — indeed we feel
that the budget provision under the head General Ediicatiou is still so
inadequate that it will do little to meet the vast needs of the province — ^but
when 51 J lakhs are set aside for a General Development pre^nramme, we
hope that ample and generous provision will be made for us under this head.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS,
53
►46.J
Education is a living force, it must either develop or die: it cannot
t^^main static. Every Government which professes to follow a policy of
justice and equity must provide for the development and improvement of
existing successful undertakings on a scale commensurate with their
mccess.**'
The question of inade(|uate salaries of teachers has already received the
ittention of this House. 1 would therefore only ask that provision should
ilso be made in our budget for an increase of .salaries. Teaching has never
>een just any mans job. It culls for sjHjciul (juttlities of luind and character
vhich, though beyond nrip, should not he t*onsidered unmarketable. If
ioverument is interested in ensuring that sc1uh)1s are provided with the
;orrect type of teaching staff, it is indeed essential that salaries should be
ncreased tlm*e or even four times. There can he no future for an edu-
cational system which does not amply protect the interests of those on whom
its success depends.
Judging by the list »if cut motions circulated to members, it would
api>ear that there are certain objections to separate provision for our edu-
cation. 1 would like to remind the House that tliis is no monopoly of our
community, for special jnovisioii has always been made for Madrassuhs
which foster a type of education quite different to the rniversity type,
prevalent in the province. Moreover, as our schools <‘utcr principally for
Anglo-Indians and are staffed almost entirely by us, they are not in the
strict sense of the word European schools — though the culture* and style of
teaching, in keefiing witli our origin ami history, is Juiropean, adajitud of
eouisf to suit our needs as native's ed India.
AVith the introduc'tion of vernacular as the me'dium eef instruedieui in
schools, and as I m>\v he'ar pe>ssihl\ in e’olh'ge's, the- provisiein of separate
.s( liolastie* instil lit ions for our e'oinmunitv is even ineue neee'Msary than in the
past. No (io\ernme*nt, no indivielual who profe'sse's to ri'spe'el the rights of
minoiitics '‘an nutot the* aholitiem of se'parate* institutions for us. Such
suggeslious savour ot intedeuant elise riininaliem ami are d(*stru(’tive mid
dangerous. Kducation in tlie English language, in se liools of the Kurop(*au
t>pe. is our hirth-iigiit . It iiie'aiis ineire* lo us than titles or fortunes. The
moral and intedleetual training given in our .se-lioeds is generally the euily
inheritau(‘e we are able to pa.s.s eui to emr chihlre'ii. Government grunts play
a small hut essential jiart in this invaluable heritage. More tlian 50 per
cent, of the high cost of inuintenance of our hcIkhiIh i.s nu't by the high tees
wullingly ]>nid by our .self-sacrificing peojdc. Insufficient money is wasted
ihoiiey ; our grants hear fruit only through the whide-hearted co-operation
of Aiiglo-Imliau [larents who have always spent more on the education of
their children than they can really afford.
Finally, it must be remembered that our schools cater not only for the
Anglo-Indians of the province, but also for other minority communities
such as the Arnieuiaiis, Jews and Pursis, who together with several hundreds
of the majority communities, appreciate the type of education we provide.
The future of India lies in her schoids and we bei^aiise of our non-party
bias are eminently suited to serve India educationally, culturally and
socially. If this were more universally realised, every right-thinking per-
son would join with me in pressing our claim for more generous treat-
ment as s<M)n as more money is available for educational puifioses. In the
meantime, I would ask for an assurance from the Hon tile Ministfir for
£duc.ation that our needs should be Iwrne in mind and t^t he will insist
that a statutory minimum should not continue to la? misinterpreted as a
statutory maximum.
Tll« Hofilito Mr. SAIYED MUAUAMUDDIN HOttAIN: Mr. Speaker,
Sir, I am grateful to Mrs. Ricketts for the suggestions she has made in her
speech. 1 have full sympathy with all that has fallen from her mouth,
but I must remind her that she must also remember the conditions of Bengal
DEMAND FOB GRANTS^ Sbpt.,
and it» financial resources. As compared with EuroMan countries the
proviiiion made 4pr education is considered by her to be disgraceiuUy sinali.
1 admit that. We cannot i> 08 sibJy maintain the European standard m
Bengal, but at the same time we fully realise the importance of the speml
allotment and of Hjjecial necessities of the Anglo-Indian community. We
know that education is not only for culture only but 99-9 per cent, of it is
connected with the bread problem. Unless the Anglo-Indians are properly
educated and made fit for taking to professions, they will be a burden on
the State. So it is the duty of the State to see that they are given special
training, so that they may earn their livelihotxl and live us honourable
gentlemen in the State. With this object in view^ we are making special
provision for the Anglo-Indians. A reference has bwn made to section
n3(J) of the Government of India Act. It has been said that the minimum
fixed has been adopted as the maximum. But, Sir, I should remind you
that it is not at all so. The minimum according to calculations would have
been Ks. During this year we have provided Rs. 11,70,01M).
That means we have provided Rs. 40.000 more. Of course we understand
the growing needs of the increasing population of this particular community.
On account of the increasing population and also due to the question of
inflation in the country, they require more allotment in order that proper
education may be imparted to the boys and girls of their community. We
take note of it. In future we will try to do much more than what has been
done hitherto in order to meet their wishes and in order to help them in
educating tlieir children on proper lines.
With these few w<jrds, Sir, I resume my seat and I commend my motion
to the acceptance of the House.
The motion of the Ifon’ble Mr. Saiyed Muazzamuddiu Hossain that a
sum of Rs. 11,(19,800 be granted for e.\j)endi(uie under the head “*57 —
EducatiiUi — Anglo-Indian and Kuropean” was then put and agreed to.
11— Registration.
The Hon’ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, on the recum-
raendatiou of His Kxcelleney the Governor I beg to move that a sum of
Rs. 01,50,000 be granted for expenditure under the head “11 — Registra-
tion”.
Mr. FAZLUL QADIR: Sir, I wish to make a few general observations
on the administration of the Registration l)e|)artment. This Department
is the most neglected. I do not know whether the Hou’ble Minister takes
any notice of this Denartment. I will say one thing for the infonnation of
the Honourable Members of this House that the appointment of Sub-
Registrars ha.s been held up for u considerable time now, and the public in
the province are suffering a great deal. A large number of sub-regist^
offices are closed for want of relief offii’ers. One Sub-Registrar is asked (o
manage tw’o and sometimes three offices. What is the justiffcation of hold-
ing up these appointments, and make people suffer? They are paying
money for the work wdiieh the sub-registry office undertakes to do for them.
The section 93 regime did not pay any heed to this Department and the
suffering of the people. This Department, Sir, is treated very shabbily.
I draw the particular attention of the Hon’ble Minister to three points,
ri*.,
(1) the appointment of Sub-Registrars sliould be made immediately;
(2) the requisite number of reservists and relief officers should be
appointed so that one officer has not to hold two offices in two
places; this inconveniences both the parties and offic^ers;
(3) the members of the staff in sub-registry c^ce, particularly the
mohurrirt are very poorly paid. Provision should be ma^e for
adec^uate remuneration. Sir, even the dmprasis and other
, menials draw as much as Bs. 35 to Es. 45. Compared to mis the
DEMOD FOR GRANTS.
((ft
e ij of the mohunirs is wholly inadequate. Will the Hon*ble
mister be pleased to enquire* how much teiu})orary clerks in
Calrutto draw ar average remunerative? Is it sutlicient to
maintain themselves P If not, what is the jiistiticaiion for
extorting hea^ work from them and paying so poor a remunera-
tion? Sir, with these few words I resume my seat.
Tha Hontila Mr# dOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, (he appointment
of Sub-Registrars is almost complete and it will he finally made very soon.
Regarding the low nay of mohurnrs attached to sub-registry offices I
may assure the Honourable MemWr that the matter will receive svmpathetio*
consideration of Government, and the other points raised by the Honourable
Member will also receive due consideration of this Government.
The motion of the llonTde Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandul that a sum of
Rs. dl,5C,0()0 be granted for expenditure under the head “11 — Registration"
was then put and agreed to.
Adiournment
The House wa^ then adjourned at 12 iirnm till 2 p.m. on Monday, tlio
loth September, IfMO. at the Assembly Hmise, (\ileut(u.
[16th Sept.,
ProceeJingi of the Bengal Legislative Assemblj assembled nnder
the provisions of the Government of India AcL 1935 *
The AssEjiBi'Y ni<?t in the Asnenibly House, Calcutta, on Monday, the
>th September, nt 2-20 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon’hle Mr. Nurul Amin) in the Chair, 8 Hon’ble
dnisters and 133 members.
Questions.
TN Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Sir, may I suggest that in view
I the thinness of attendance of members, particularly of the Opposition, the
iiestions may be held over for the day?
Mr. SPEAKER: Is there any objection P
Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: We agree.
Mr. SPEAKER: The (|uestions are held over.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
S-Industries— Industries and 72«Capital Outlay on Industrial Development.
The Hon’ble Mr. 8HAMSUDDIN AHMED: Sir, on tlM‘ re(‘onnnendation
f His Kxcellency the (iov(‘rm)r 1 beg to move that a sum of Us. 1,24,92,000
e granted for ex])enditure under the heads “4d-lndustries — Industries’*
nd “72-Capital Outlay on Imlustrial Development*’.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURY: Or: ’TTH.
wr v-5g^ snri iiv n^ni
Wardrobe) S'® ?n ^u yc^i 4^^? fv ftvi > cvfg
^ 5?rf vcvcvi =^itv vtrrn? V*fl
rnr i ^ RRv. cmpi (?n Orem i
vgmn cwsttu vw vmi wrftv
rtf«t v’^i jfT^sTpr w
m s w cmi ^ivt^
ngn T»rfV*». ?»rfvc^ vfwg?T c^T ir^^n verf^ st? 1 m
irjR \
\P\ »rT5TwT4rc*nt R-srs'-t ^ ^cm.— ^nr vc*n nmcv ^
rem vc*ri'> ^^>pn<R i Rg?^ vtR¥t vtTO Rem fWv
jew wtr I fRi e vOnir^ ^ vf*t^ vmn m vrev i
cwv Rai*t VC? mew ‘average Bengalee to-day carries his entire wardrobe
cm his person’ i ^g^ v;t^ •srv vT^r^ ?pnrrj veil few
m m Se^fw ILvimt f 4V |vfi vft^ wr^ftev fvro leiev ^ ^ vtci i
froimRi w ^ ^ ^ fw ^ cw «rTei » fkRi "^v tm
cvf ^ om
f^vci ignif tftiiwi w evtS wr vmew i Rev if cvrB w \
^OeVti VV brftW tol ITR 8V CVfg VCW TO iivf^
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
57
^ 6 :]
ifw *Ri ft wttirfw fcir%W5T--‘*Rii|«fR oifs c?
f wc^ fifgnr^ ^smi’ i iro iff fi *m wai fvsrrjir citw wt,
tjW afc¥ i mvnm oo trw? JT't Jim ^jNft m cm
VI i»nr V sr¥ *^0 vrwm i
^ vf^srrv cv 5rfv«n 3 Tv -rmi jo ^ vr^irm rv i 3?vf^ <v c¥m fir^v
-w viz ‘'trsra vv vitcv i *rvt^terv 4^!ftt vvck« ^r5im“-fvcTO W
4 ? ClfF^ «RTTV Vtmi?r ^SVTW -jtov C’^CW I 4 f ftW f¥ C^tClfti
vimi f c’ftirff f^ fVf fart farf i m ?cva| cviTl mtrw
VI iurrri?' ( Expert ) wmr*ff i vrfjKiT fiv’t ^*Trviv vF’ff
vi<>TC»-{ I v;viFi:‘fv v?^'> ^Hrcvr?^ Fiscal (’ommisfflon m Tariff Board, Lac UeBoarch
Iiistituto, lioard of Iruiustrial and iScientitie Iliwarch, Bengal Induntrial lioard,
Survey ('omniittw, Post-war flc'couHt ruction CV)niinitt<*e, Ikmgal Technical
jEduoation ('omrnittce •Tr*ii W C*fC^ I ffV ^ vns
oFr:^ vf9T] cviT vj 5x^5 <irr-»ri»i vrtsn wrm fvsTM -sfc^ m
JO 4? TV vwt 0=^ r-rcs^'tv S^jir^T u wvnrvtvMv tprvtv^r fvfftvtv a>^i 4^ fvsw T5
TTv cm cvi'f Tern’s vTjrsrrvTe^r ciTvc^t vrmr i ttw cr-w^ tv: 5V ’ Tvet
err^pr ft^cv Pr?^ rv, cvTPtt ’ifvr^c^rvi
TsvTv rt^rrv •nve^rv rtpn yvM Tcre^r vrj tcvt vrv Mc’f i Prcei^fji
vnn fmv Tt^ tvi <lr¥5 vtv rvfifi Ttv-t Tfv '-tTc? err apTtr niv ‘iv Ttwr Her i
rrerp Tvrrwv fn^TF «rt<tf7 Trrv ^r^rcT-T Tte^ft cstev fi»n Prote'srv T^irrv Sr’t^i i
o< cTff^ f^TTfv rfre-rf:, ^Pti cvrrciT c'fcvi’s X- errfli flo vf^rfT (''teves jo errf^, cvvte!?
r-fF<t rvtv :rr3j j errf ;.8 f?rTi i f-nr’P'iv crrii cv e^-t flTc*fi w Pifkv Tfef
m rrere^ Pre?^ 4 c*j^Tr «fvr^‘Ttvi Trrrrr vtrr< vs vvrrrrv vrerefr's crvri;
Sericulture, vre^v Heeding Institute, Textile Institute, Tanning Institute,
(’eramic InstituU^ijv wrr vrpp i 3T5T^i 4VH 5fr3 nmcvv PtHT Pri?fl 4at1TP!f Tt^
jfTrrr TTvvrvTv t'i Tcrn^ rr:^! v-rrm cw wfr-*rTrvtrfl S^m ♦t^tr^^.^oo
v^'vrt^T TT5T Tc^ P^T'^Tm^rr Tmvtw^i 5m^ 4vm *r:nvv Prvv vf 2it n^vr!; 'dfe erfr ewr^-
3 TPt (T^Jjvi rim I ^PfTS rn<lT ^err nrrT^*n cTf*tTS t
rf^smr rtrtnr <sof Tt’fni^r T5 t erm? i ^ewr tcvt v^rv Tfr/4 irot frr crcTi?i7t revPpr,
P^ rjTrcrr wstc^ 4 «P ttt *j:crv i vrvrm 'iPry^rtv rirsrrv Tt^n^v Txrv rt^ri rt^inr
TMi Tn %v1^ I r :nvr Pm nrrrtrv trmm rirm vit'iinr vtvtv tR tthi i vn:^
Wt vTtTir rtoi PfTv, ^ s g-Rtren v'^r-^ rev, 4 Tvn ewers ’srs’i arrm ^r
TV anVTT spindle (vfT) mattr w^tt PP^ Tcrcfri
vewr vfevfe^t PPg- m Pn r^r Pr^’f esmi vcvcsi wt*n tvi PtetrpRr vttwfvs
^en mv ^ Pn:?<iv c^ ^ reri Pi 4 rf:Ti mrv<jv*f TcrrPi fm
tfnrrwrr anrevTj rs t^’Tff^rrmrcvei, ?3^Trnrnf r^r^rrii. m wttij, ^ 4iTm-
pv, Ttti revel vrwww; Pi rvP r^r Pe^ Ps *nRi vr^^vcir rnr vwi wvx
5100 VTn Ttivpn rrP vev% i Pn 4 *sPeT irlt Pte^ ’fPfr twtv ewtr wtcvtwv crii
vim an i m n errt Iffriv wtrppn vrtwi fen w;n wmtv Tcvei i Pi ^ 4^3
Ttv irftstev 5 ^pfxff«tw wP i 4 Tti vpv Pev 7 vn^^ nPirv rev i jvo »-80 lev
vTtiffv 8 <b nwn ^ fiP hfit rcvfiwi j» 8>88 vev tzH reiei vm J 8 ffwiv vw-
VTvti wmv ^ Pp*f levef-^tstftv i ^en vw * rmmt e ti wtvr vreiti cview nfin wwv
tTvcvct%i fcif *tev cm fmtv ip w vvPv Pe r lewei i
68 DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [16th Sept.,
JWf TO ^ «Wir«T iff*? I
TOflff s cfn^yfTO:? to W5 *TO i «r«( ^5#t^^IHta Ss^rtr crm
fj?f ’ft I TO i»>»fTn ?n‘t fro c’^c^ w fHw cim^?
C^f?R I TOf^y Jlin 4t I ^5iy ^
fro CTO c^ ♦ncf in ^'s^n c^ m to ^ i
TOfm Rehabilitation Scheme ( ) TOC^ '9^1
^ I <4«ftr=rQ c*rTO ^ i ^t ^ TOi 5?;? ^fir
HfQT^ TOf TOV CTO, rsm fro^ (?fp{ ^ I
*^cinw nfTO«J TOTRl TO5 ‘Planning without tears’
TOTi v'n m TOC? I i5t^ *ffTO^ <BnTOTaiT? ?m
^r?r?TOT? 3J5 ^ I 4? w^rr '*rmi^?tTO to ’irirtrot^, c^rtTOT^y '© <i‘fiRr^ ^^yf^
C^ttpfV I TO! TO !ffTO*r!r cim*! I TO TOt «ftTO f^, ^ f^— 4«fTO
wt^ TOfro *ffir‘r55 tot^ tfi i
^ wnfy^r TOf 'G I ficTO itr;f jr ^ i
':>^ObO^ TO ^6 CTtfS .'>C0,X^:& ^ v tt ^ g m fwf%? ?CTO f^n TO
tfT^ TO? fronl ^r^nr g TOi*y ciro i jq? cjn*! totj cto ^tot«r^ ?>
’n I OT® ’rWTG TO 09? cTOM TOWr to ^rtro^ i ’itc^ ^ froci^
•rtfin ^;»n toft? tftri to^i ?:? «[? to ’To ^ i ^:c?^ fro c’Fm ^TOtBR?
cf<fi TO? 5n I
^^9ftw fli«1 G ▼5TWf<ff3n ^tc^ 5ck? ¥2TTOTr^ CTO TO I fV? Tt*tc^ TO
^tvi G <(,»Riv ^tc;? Sck? I ’rrui tots to i f-rc^ fro fro <13" fro
TO ^fTOl
ffJTTS^ TOTO 4? Rc 3^ sjc^ts wmi TORF f^tTO ^ ’^f? I CTO^ TO^
\5lTO^ CTO 5bO G^t ?55n?C?® f?<TOW CTO mvS^ CTO ^TOH G*! C?1*y TOTO
TO TO I C^ TO 57 TO TO ?I CTO, ^3TTOn, G TOTHTO, TO?1
8^ TO TO ¥9rfn5i G CTO ifru I >5? wfTO wrus TO I
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Mr. Speaker.
How much time are you allowing iney
Mr. SPEAKER: T eii minutes. You hare spoken for nine minutes. You
may speak for one minute more.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: I want five minutes
more please.
Mr. SPEAKER: If you can profitably utilize the time I have no objection.
I^y^f G TOTTW *trfy WTO tf^TOI TO ^ ’[pU TOC? I tfff wi
iTOfy wtc’t w^y^^ Siva Samudram Hydroelectric Plan^ ttf^ TOC?i va?^ CTOTS
WT^TWft TOT? Tata Power System TOlw tf^TO Pykara G Mettur Scheme,
c? TO 4? TOfci wn f^TO ?tTO? to ^ >iito?
CTOITO^yUS ^nTO C? twjT'^WfC’fl TOt«R 9C^. G1 CTOG •gf '® ^ ^
fw irTO ?r?TO wriy w^rf^ftro ?ftf trrocw fTOtft® wtoto, 4^ 4i tow
wm TO TOW TO TO Cftfirw G !fTO !fTO fTOwfTO ^*^5 WTO
TO wtfll TOfWT® I 4? * ftfy C?l^ firtn TO ’ItCTO ^ S^ffw i flTOt
TO TO ?lt?ff TO (?rf^ TO ’ftcTO fiTO 8^, Wftf S^flW, iftTOTO-SjlW I 4?=? fw
•ffITO TO #y?*r C?tCff I fW TOW. fW^, TO, ffTOS, TOH, ft, TOI, *fHW1, 'dff’tai
Iwnfir ?? ftcTO TOC? TOit I ?twtfG iTOf wtk cfTO TOii Iff ?t;?fif ?? wro i
4HlcW WWIfW *lc? ?tl TOW I
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
N6.]
59
3ftw m nit i fi»n from fkitw ttrs wr cfGtw
mm Cl ^irin Substitute { f^Rn ) wvb ntn i cm ctrt
fin, jntrm ^ Turpentine wtflfl fufin !fT3 vu w c«mTn fotf i «mnff Blaok
apan tfmtfit *{1 fftinsm i Jit c^smi film affcn*
^ ▼ITS irtni innnr cn m «rRtff. m\ tfam mnwtf vv$ nttfi mntf
rtH r^Toin cnt? i iims ii^ jjrTtn i
[iKiu8trial»ation4i ^fl^<fVnc^ 'mwi ntft iti mntt
m ^ ^ifnc?ni foi:? f*rcir jjc*^ >nm ’rfrwn res
m I ifvnr? fisn Prottni infin rri in 3 ¥ft«riTn«fnc¥ ^cmcntcunl
rcf c^'^m I « ’Fl^fnc^ ni^ic? nRwfni rtffs if »inr 4 T fw ^mi%f enm
orciT nriTf jflf^ fr^ nrti mRi 1 ^;cni fm »wiTf
Ti^n m(nrw irimt enci iJcnc^ 1
it:nw empn ^ tirtm fn?n fiw inn 'atcfj entn, fnm. 4fi, ^fii,
:ir3i fwfn 'Q fTfi c» w mi fifi cm cir^ cifim fnif ait ftmu
r ufim n mra nra j[?ncn 1 ^t^iti m iw^fl -ji '<i ifwi unsu 1
ficyn? cwzn ntm^rs: n*i5t'^n*n iwfi jjwrnm c^ anim 'afnit itti win
oiT wf ir^nn fw ![f^^ win mtf '5;fnrc^ 1
Cnra^ c^cn itff i it'nfi fi^n 1 11111^% fimr cft 1 »
r-r?n fwfi ri% tern IP ^ r»cm srnJt cici''a ittnn ^nro? 5,i¥ mr 1
oit iTtntn Ticm f*fC 5 fci 1
it^nn fi^n n-nc^ im r’n i ’■rwemen w— wimw mfnci
iTtnm Cl fw vatwn cRn nrnre^ m.Fnn 11 cfi^fn cr^n nfl*
I
jpr-pj if.sTTTf fiynifirs, fnntffi; wn ntiwm '3 tfm *JKt^ wrfhr »mfw 5
nIiTj vm ctfttfti Cl n^n ^n mi, cn niinr it^nn ii^ n 1 tiw ¥1^ ncm
lit. f¥i 1C1 im mi— ’‘¥toi niiittiT^cii 1^, nrnwi $t¥ cilitfm” 1
Miuiana MUHAMMAD RUKNUODIN : fi; nm, nrfi ci ainni ftrs fif rfp^
?tn ntTnirf^ "jirni ^fnr^flcrs nmn i>a mt ^ crfil^v 1 ^^it w c!f*i">t ci n^nti
cimo ai¥m m ifirm^ mn 1 m l-w $nit ci mn ir^nn 71 ^
iTtfim ¥11 1 nmnsiti mtmn ifinri ii;nn fr ntfn ¥rffi fiflin mnrm
tjtf i¥¥t « 4 t ¥f¥ c!f«rb|v I r¥i m iitnti ^c¥i tm fin mirst ffnffto! tmn
¥Twn ¥fm*i cm m or mi^f n wf^ti mr if ¥nrj mnrwre <^¥^1 mim
¥tin i nunnm i it.*nti mm fiitP ijf ititiff ¥vc¥i ^ ^ it^«%
ICIT ii¥ emt^ 4¥inr ¥m m, tficn if fittis, cit irlsfln uri i^n wn
\ffi new icf m it^ ¥|ffnR?i mn ’pm nfm ftn cif^ cifir® m, f mt
*j^f%i:¥i ¥tffnn mtn fiftcs im nw nf mnti imrllcii fW¥iti mfW fi¥M
iwi ^ftfi I ^ firm ¥|firnni cm ci item cm fin ¥%it m fi fif 1 *■
itf, $n?f mitt, m, itii c^ m^ewr ni ¥i ¥finn irpn-irfiewji i’ll ’¥f%-
itm ¥ei I m, itt, 111, fm, esm, itf ffmra cm n, ¥c*i cici ittfi mil
let I cif ffe¥ mil fkntt nftm ifim cin iifcifnti tfciM ^fi for 1 i^ar fmi
mtti wem mn ititw tmi cn**tffi « ficneiitpi ftfVn ffcii. ciwin
^fffi 111 it fUfi mlti mrSf ijiif mil w ncm miei iicfi ft ¥ci 1
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[16th Sett.,
^ »rf*T iw ▼fivi wfTf ^5t5ti ?tTO r¥t
•ffsitf w’Ti ^rrm ▼sn^ ^%n «iin?5T w
ww^ W5yt5tw cvrtP c^flP 5nRf^c¥ frt?f^5?nr c¥T^ *ftry
C¥5{ ¥¥nfi^ ^n, ^ ^5T%i ^ ^ I ^^r5tf%¥ iB’ttrfl ’Tf? ¥finn ^ j f y i ^t^srtsrwff^^r
w^, ¥% ?r5r^ ^ ^ c¥^ > pr ¥f^cf f*Nt?r ?7?m
I ^ ^ ¥*^1, f¥l ¥% ’m 1^ ¥^ ¥5fir<t^irr¥ 3T^ ▼finn Vij^^
^fWf¥f ^?rrr¥ >TTn ¥fiTO ^rmi ¥%5 t f% »rff<ra ^ r
^ ¥tfjr arMtii ¥ts-^ wr*nr 3 fw-¥^hc7mrc¥ ¥^ir ¥Mf$c'if| c^, (Tr ^rfirfira-
^ofr*f C5^l ¥f^1 "PF ^5 ¥^^5 ¥5ffl^l*?tc¥ GlotC^ 5“^ *J'*»f ¥f%ai vil¥ ??R
nt<R ¥ftr5 *nRm 7 ^ 1 wfSrci: ^ m? f^, ¥l^ *(rz^ ?f%# mi ¥rr c^
^f^ltW^?, '55Mrf "PF^ ¥?5T ^t3 f^*N I ^ft¥T?r Tf? C^, C*ft^ f*r¥t^
TPm, ^PTYI ^1 ij¥^ 'iJflTf^R ^f%?r ^Tim fT?ri (Tfr*PT ¥5 5&<*f¥t?
¥f^i cwff cFTpri fjpfifm ¥Tfe: arit^cTi^R'^-i ^ f¥¥ c^rm mtz^
pFprn Pf ? m tft^ tfP^ snPmri? tfv^ ^ ^ cm ?%! (Tf*f
nPTH^ c*m^ c^tri PRttc-s ^tc^r ^vm ^pRr^^tnr ?7 tt] ^fkus 5tc^
I ^Pf ^1 ^tf^ fifVS li't(,A TiTRl ? ?T%5 'flflC^II ¥R f^We?)’ ?t3^n
C5t^ ¥pfn ¥tyPl f
«rw?r ^^TW? ^pRT^i ¥vn 3 ¥«fn crrm^m (tj’r
*nr<rTif ¥f^iir%3i^ ¥tPr i.^ r-ri ¥f^i Pt^^r toi-
^«(fw*il^ Cl, f^Pr ^ ^ 5R»fT^t?i ¥fi¥fr^ ’rr$i f^iri ¥f% ¥?? ^rr? c¥R ’IT^ 1
r¥l ^ pR^ ¥tpl ¥f% •fji:^ ^f71 ^fsTUi ^K1 C?. ^
w^ f¥ ¥pn:5R ^1 pfj^ 'ifPr^iR jti, w^im f^ ^iR3
OTPt ¥s^ f^ pR 1 cnyPnr^ *;*»! ¥ti ^ Ti:? «4T^, "yriR ttr c^
¥rm ¥pnn *rt^ w’pruPrrf 4fi>tt<f"i ¥^] sir ^rf^ 1 ^t^r-r 3T^'rt9 Pht^pr c^
PPT ¥/i( PrsTc^ fk^ fiPT ?t?i ^fgtrPT¥ ^’fTnr m '3
nfm P?Pr5 cn fPr ¥pT?nr«R ^fmi BrtPrro ntPrcTR. '5t7i ^ oti 7 ^ ^
¥Tt]¥ft ¥pnTf? ¥RI OR ¥RT1 ¥¥1 I vij^ ^RfpET ^5t«nr‘5lt‘T^
¥T¥4*t ¥Pnn ¥PflI C^ ¥p05ff I
Mr. MUHAMMAD OSMAN QANI ! Pi "^"PfrTj ^ttp, ^f\®TT^ k'^toR
tfps ^IPTorm?p Pn:fw ¥T¥^‘t ¥^ tf^ ¥tp ^smr » r:i f¥| Wn 1
>It*fR<^5I 01 P<fPlR ¥Tc^, ^t05 60 C<tC¥ ¥!¥¥ ¥C^ ^00 5[^1
fT>n?p5 ¥1 1 PFE ¥$TftOT ?tI5^ ^l^tOR C¥3tOI dlBtribution ^StTS C?¥l ^
01 >0^ c'for ¥01 00 •nioni ^ i ^sr ¥csi ¥f ¥W
TO TO ¥tr^ I ^ ^nror» fine ¥f*t^ cTOi ^ ?n i vtc^nr
TO7 TOlfS ?OI ^JTC¥ I *tfw<(TTOt’tT ¥11^ W^ 0? fine ’JJSl tfC^ffR 4¥¥l » f ¥C^^ WtOR I
pFl ^:OR pRl Mil on^ TO CTO 7m CTO C¥5TO ^ Pr^^t TOOf, ^5105 OR! iftl C?, 00
??TO1 STO ^ ’nt ^rftro ^tCf %1 C*T*kTO I ¥TO! mfftTTO C?l >Pf¥ ¥H5 TO5Tf
▼Pr, OMiPl 7^7 BO 777 !JV5 77, TOt Olt ¥H^ *fTO *ffPir, 7^ ^0 TOT ^jsnr Of >Pf¥
TO9 tpr® 77, Of ¥H¥ *fTO *ffpr ^ l •plf PmwTO <7 »PTO ^S-TO? tr¥3 TO!,
m ¥pr¥ttit *« TOTR BTrrm cto! ^ 51 ^ orttot ^jffkR ^ Ifnn kftthr tttus 7W7
TO! I Pn ¥#3iTO Defence of India Rules TOR OT^ 77^ wtT^ <Ji77 ^iTO CTO 0!«¥i
77 7\, TO cnTOftl TO¥! wmt TOM TO PtCTO I C¥TO«f ^ TO^ W7] TO *fC^
fCTO VOrtl TO¥ TO¥ TO ¥| TO PfCTO I ¥!TO W3 40R STO
wtit ¥1! TO— ^ 7m TOn CT, 10 per cent TOf S. D. 0. TOTOf ¥fc^
ftlE TO I ¥tp TO^ RitTORTO fTO^f TO ^JCTO WTfk 01, 80 777 cTO tO TO
1946.] DEMAND FOE GRANTS. 61
^ ms fwrwin irtm ft ^ »nii wti wwi *1^6— ISY
cm "8 ^ ’rorn ; fVi x ^ ^
nrft TC5 ^tm ¥tsrs c»f^ i f%i ^ ftt^fnj 4t wt*?! vi fro*! to cNf^ i ifrtnit
8izo4 ¥t^ *ffir*w ^ TO yrsf i
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irar^ ?^tTOt«ni iifro ‘I* CTOT Jiv. m*«n ?rfr^ 'nr^a c^il X!5t« quot* cTO *trc« m
IRT CSh VTOT I
Mr. MUDA88IR H088AIN5 Mi. S|u*nki*r. 1 huvt* heard with clo«a
attention the Mpeeelies which have been delivered hy the OppoNltion
(laughter) on other days — not only this day hut durinjr the ffeneral
discussion. But they coniiuit a fundainenlal mistake when they say that thia
Assembly is a soverei^rn body, which it is not. Therefore when they talk
of nationalisation, they are not within tlieir scope or jurisdiction. They
cannot ask the Hon’ble Ministers to nationalise industry ami to naiionaliae
everything. Then, Sir, what is the remedy for this state of affairs 1* The
British Imperialists have all along been adamant right and left, and I think
they have l»een rightly so. (Laughter. ) Sir, the misery in this country of
ours has begun from the da\ on which Lord (’live ilefeated Sirajudowla with
the help of our own people. AVhether it was a defeat or not matters little.
The (’hief Revenue Officer of the Kmperor of Delhi acquired the dew'ani of
Bengal. They purchase<l the dewani and ])romisod that they W'ould
administer the country according to the tlirections of the Moghul Emperors,
but this promise, this untertaking was thrown to the wimls.
Mr. 8PEAKER • Plea.se coniine your observations to Industries.
Mr. MUDA88tR H088AIN: Sir, 1 was speaking on the revenue position
of Bengal and you will reali.se that irom revenue comes Industry, from
Industry' comes Agriculture, from Agriculture comes Fishery and from
Fishery comes Weaving and so on and so forth.
Now', Sir, a ])erusal of the provision of the (iovernmi'ni of India Act,
1935, will clearly show that this House, this Assemhly is not a Paliament
in the true sense of the term. It is a toy parliament, it is a glorified debating
club, and the Ministers are so many pujipets. They are Ministers of a toy
parliament. This is the position I beg to submit. Then, Sir, what is the
remedy? How do they say that they will nationalise the iiidust^es, how do
they say that they will nationalise electricity and things of that kind? Have
they got the powers to do that? Have the poor Ministers got power to do it?
My friends say that British capitali.sm, British Imperialism is responsible for
this state of things. I quite agree but who brought this British capitalism,
who brought these Imperialists in our land. My friends on the other side
brought these Imperialists here. (Laughter.) I should ask who proffite^
by the advent of these Britishers and whx) suffered on account of their
advent in this land. Sir, I should like you Rj consider what is the remedy
for the present state of things to which we have been brought. Sir, as you
know, Jagat Seth, who was the capitalist of capitalists, Umichand, the
Hindu landlords and hostile Hindus all oombined and these persons invited
Lord Clive and they made Mir Jafar their scapegoat. Mir Jafar was
nothing but an instrument in the hand of these Marwaris and Hindu land-
lords. They induced him somehow or other to believe that if Sirinudowla
ootild be removed from his seat, they would make him the real King of
Bengal. With this thought in their mind they duped poor Sirajudowla and
kill^ him in cold blood and put Mtr Jafar on the throne. But the gpreedy
Imperialists were not satisfied even with him. (Laughter.)
tt DEMAND FOB GRANTS. [ 16 th Seft.,
Mfi SPEAKER: Order, order. Mr. Mudassir Hoesain, I hope you will
(peak on Induetriea and be relevant in your remarks.
Mr. MUDASSIR HOSSAIN: Sir, I am going to clear up the position and
I shall prove conclusively that industry comes with territorial power and
with it comes all other things. My friends on the other side who are
advocating nationalisation of everything must feel convinced that without
territorial power they cannot launch on a programme of nationalisation.
Mr. SPEAKER: Y our time is up. Please take your seat.
(The member having reached the time>limit resumed his seat.)
Mr. KHAIRAT H088AIN : (?:
I it^i to to i ^ m ^
vms TOf^r, ^ tff^r C5n«f cnn? too?— vrnr cTO^firTOJn
OTF CTO OTTO 5n I TO TO *n3?n m, q TOr^ otto Indu8try?r
w^rr ^ TO vf] vcTO : to (ti to to? to c^
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^rcm ^ tfTO^ wtronns Orfire toi, ^ ’fr to ’r^
TO CTO TOH? 1 « WTO7 tfTO^ fwf^ WTO C^TOTO flrTO ^ WfTO
TO’T TO I demonstration ’tTf ' ’5f?i ?!:<fT
TO c*rfTO m c^r, w5 trrrro nror tprs jmi i fVi 'sto c^,
»pn demonstration ^ cv'sm toi <nrc*nr vfv to wji ^3tTO?^^?r
cTOf TO c^ fiv^ufir 4rvTO TO I Tto ’wri wfir ^ aTft^ » 'l >fTO
fw»Pn TO%fJr. WTO wpr frotk^n c^, toti ▼tot i wf^
TOW w^iwt^r <w, demonstration l>arty TO TO TO ww frow
TOT1 TOTO’T WIR I
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0^ fi^isfTOr fifRtr TOc^ I am or ’tto fm ^
c>r^% iTOiw CTO or'm ^n, to cro ww*! cvf^r ^ i tow ^ TOw cm cro
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TOTO cwcTO (witnit c7t^ ?’toi ^ I tV« JiTO Rioe Mill rorrTTO c^fw^i
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I Rice Mill TOTOw ^TOr cTOTO TOT permission c^m I
viW TO m 'flt or ur^t ’^wi To ^ ^ TOn ctotto totot, wrwr cH^ wrrw
4TOTO ^ m CTO I wf^ ^iWorwm ^fir cn, wm ^ Rice Mill
C<rwww permission OR TO =n orsm 571
Thf HMi’blt Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED. Sir, many of our friends on
the floor of this House have made certain suggestions. Mr. Chaudhttry Jbias
spoken out his mind, 1 can say only this. Really the Industries Depart-
ment was brought into existence from 1920. Before that time the industries,
practically speaking, did not take any shape in the budget. Even up till
now, in the shape of industries the cottage industries are being supported.
I have before me at the present moment Bengal Government s industrial
policy and the India Government’s industrial policy. I am examining them
and 1 may frankly confess before this House that I have not been able to
come to any de^ite conclusion. As my friend Mr. Chaudhury has
suggested, unless the basic structure is remodelled and reshaped and unless
the l^ngal Government con take up in right earnest aU the industnal
schemes, I do not think Bengal will ever thrive in the sphere of industries.
At the present moment, all the large or heavy industries are controlled by the
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
k6.]
es
overameut of India. The Bengal Government only give some money in the
tape of dolert here and tl^gre to cottage industries, to some exhibition parties
■ad so on, but as I have told you already there are various schemes. An
Industrial Survey rommittee wuvS ap|M»iuled and the committee has submitted
I report. A Salt Survey Committee was appoiuteii and that committee has
iilso furnished a report. All these things are before me and at the time when
I took charge of this department. I thought that the future of Bengal would
8eiH»nd on now the industries ot this province would shajH*. That is the
reason whv 1 have not been able tt» eome to any iletinite conclusion all of a
sudden. 1 am studying the problems. I hope tiie sugge.stions that have
been made in the Industrial Surve\ (’oninnitee's report and the Salt Surtey
[ ommittee's rejiort will be given due consideration. My deparfment has
considered tliem and I hope very soon we will be able to come to some final
conclusion.
At the present moment, we have got, as given in (he red )>ook, certain
sfhemes about clectricitv and certuiii other s<‘hcnu*8 about sericulture.
Many honourable mem bets have mentioned about small eottage industries.
As regards the electrification scheme, as I have already told you on some
other da> . we liuve alreadN given notice to the Barruckpore Electric Supply
Corporation for being taken up b\ the tiovernment of Bengal. Aery soon we
will a iiotK'e on the Culeutla Klertrie Supply Corporation to lake it up
ami the Bengal (tovernment would tr\ ver\ .soon to nationalise the transport
.s\.>item. I do not know how iar we will he able t(» finish it successfully but
this will jiossibl) be the heginning. The new electrification scheme that has
been taken up starts liom (larifa ami Xaihati ami g(»cs via Hamighat,
Krishnagar ami Nawadwip tn Burdwan ami then^ it comes back in a
triangular f<»rm. Th(*re are also other scin‘im‘s. We an* also tiiinking of
hydro-electric s<'hcmes. But urn all know that cvcr> scheme requires
luone\. That is the r(*ason \vli\ I have .said that after the ]H)lic> and the
basic structure of future imlustiies of Bengal have heeu settled, the Bengal
Government will have to find mil the money, whether from their own
ex< he(juer or from the (rovenimetit of India b> way of loan that W’ill depend
on the (TOvernment of Bengal.
Sir. with these wonls I will .say Indore this House that till the suggestions
which my honourahle friends have ma<le will he taken into (‘onsiderulion and
I can say this that the future of industries of Bengal ought to be not only
taken serious notice of but if Bengal is to thrive, the industries of Bengal
mu.st be taken serious consideration of.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed that a sum of
Rs. 1,24,92,000 be granted for expenditure under the heads “4d-Innu8tnc»
Industries” and ‘‘72-Capital Outlay on Indu.strial Development” was then
put and agreed to.
43-lnduttrit»— Cinohofii.
Th« Hwi’bl* Mr. AHMED HOMAIN: Sir, on the recommeniktion ^Hin
Excellency the Oovernor, I W to move that a auni of Uh 2^, 10,01)0 be
granted for expenditure under the head ‘‘43-Industries ( inchona .
The motion was then put and agreed to.
85A-Cipitil outli^ 4 »n provineitl lehimM of SUto Trading*
Th# Hor'M* Mr. ADDOL COFRAN: Sir, on llie few^mendation
Excellency the Governor, 1 bex <0 more that a aura of B». 00,01,000 M
granted for expenditure under the head ‘‘dSA-Capital outlay on provincia
iohemes of State Trading”.
Mr. AROUL HAKIM' Ml A J Mr. Speaker, .Sir, during ibe
discuMion of the budget, many member# of tbe Opposition os well ae momoew
a
u
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
[ 16 th Sbpt,,
of the Government side spoke about corruption, bribery and jobbery prevail-
ing in the (Ivil Supplies Department. 1 think had the whole budget session
been utilized on the discussion of this subject, there would have been no end
of it. Just on the assumption of office the Hon’ble Minister in charge of
Civil Supplies, declared that officers against whom there existed strong
suspicion would be removed from service, and the injustice done to Muslims
in the matter of appointment and trade would be remedied very soon.
Although more than four and a half months have elapsed, I find, nothing
has been done in this respect. First of all, we pressed the Hon’ble Minister
for the removal of retired officers who have hcen re-employe«l in the Civil
Supplies Department. Officers, who retired from Oovernment service after
having served for dO to do years, weie re-employed in the Civil Supplies
Department and are still continuing on fat salaries. I had the opportunity
to meet some of tliese old retired officers, and I find that they are physically
unfit as well as mentally. It is difficult lor these officers to deal with files
which they cannot even move from one place to another. In spite of
representations made to the Hon’hle Minister no remedy has yet been done.
As regards the Muslim ratio, when we eaine here as members of the
Assembly, we learnt that the ratio in the Civil Supplies Department w^as
70 par cent. Hindus and dO ])er cent. Muslims. Although, I know, the
Hon’ hie Minister passed an onler that hencot(nth all appointments in the
Department should g(» to Muslims in order to make up the parity, up till now
the ratio has not been increased hy one ]H‘r cent. even. We learnt that
Hindu clerks ami sul)-inspectors drawing a salary of Us. oO to Ks. 75 were
promoted to gazetted lunks after only six monllis or one year's service in the
Civil Supplies Department; the Hon'hle Minislco calh‘d for a report from the
Departmental Heads about the number of Muslim ami Hindu employees with
particulars as to their first appointment and tlie present ap])ointnient held by
them; the reimrt has been given in sueh a way tii^t it is difficult for the
Hon’ble Minister to detect. I remember to lia\(‘ st'en some such report in
the .l/or///n// iVcic.v that the offi(‘er who was ('iitrusted with this report, and
wJio is the eoiiscience-keeper of the HoiChli* Minister, also manipulated the
report .
As regards trade and commerce, the Hon'hle Minister assured us that in
the matter of trade, Muslims, Scheduled Castes and other Hindus w'ill get
their proper share, hut F find on enquiry that the privileges, rights and
claims of the Muslim merchants and also of the Scheduled Castes, have been
neglected and trampled upon. ()ue Sclieduled Caste finn approached
Mr. Kajan for a permit, hut his petition was rejected on the ground that he
was a new-comer in the line. 1 went to Mr. Kajan and asked him, what
justincntion w’as there for him to hold the portfolio of Director of Civil
Supplies when he has no experience whatsoever in the business line? He
admitted that I was right, and said that beiause Government ha.s put him
there ns Director of Siipplie.s he i^ working there and drawing his salary.
I think the honourable members know that to get permits for mustard oil,
gur, mustard seeils. sugar, etc., no experience is necessary. A dealer has
simply to obtain a permit for these, then he ha.s to go to U,P. to get the .stuB,
arrange for wagons, and bring these things to Calcutta. For these things if
I am entrusted with the whole of the Civil Supplies Department, 1 can
manage it. During Section regime Scheduled Caste merchants could not
enter No. 11 /A. Free School Street, because the police prevented them.
There was nobody safeguard their interests. Now after the format icm of
the Ministry, he can enter the corridor but not beyond that. If these things
continue in this way, and the rights of the Muslima and Scheduled Castes
are trampled upon in this way, I think we cannot do any justice to these
merchants.
Now, Sir, a« regards strong suspicion against officers, the Hon’ble
Minister assured us that such officers would be removed from the Civil
Suppliea Department on strong suspicion. 01 course, there was terror after
im,]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS,
65
this public .statement. But 1 hnd that the terror has Huhsuleil with the
IPpoHitinent of the Trivute Secretary (o tlie lltm’hle MiiUNter. This Private
fcretarv has iilreailv p-aiioMl notoriety heiu^^ iu tlie Uatiomnjf J)epariiu0nt
for a eonsiacrable penod. As rejrahU tliat I have no persona! knowliHlKe,
^Ut i remember that soinetinie dunnKr ilip tiiM week of xVIav. some contractors
ipprouched tlie llon'ble Minister in respect of labour supply of M*vea
Jiationiiii; ja’ 0 <low'ns in ( alcutla. The conlracttirs tileil a representation that
tile whole contract should not be p^iven to one man, but should be divided
inioii^ seven persons. Ihe Hon tde Minister ajrrtM*<l and tenders were
uviteo, the last date of whidi was ‘Jlst Ma\. On the 18th May the
mntractors foitnnately I and the Hon’hh‘ Minister li\e in the same
)ui]din^, 1 on the third floor and he on the fir>t - <*ame to int* and saitl that
dthoui^h the Hon’ble Minister had aske<l for teiidoi.s b\ May. it had been
(o arrun^'ed that the present man would continue for two months more and
hese tenders would l>e rejected. I had to u.se very harsh words to these
contractors and said that they should have no such .suspicion. On vCnd May
it transpired that all tenders have been rejected. I personally approached
the Hon hie Mini.ster who assured me that he would eall for tenders, iuit tw'O
months have tdajised and no tender lias heen invited. The Private Secrt'lury
was implicated in the matl«‘r and that wa.H the su^r^estion of ihe contraetors.
Now 1 hold a stion^ suspicion afrainst tin* Private Secretary and would
lequest the Hon hh‘ Afinister to en(]uire into the matter personall\ and (’nn
remove our suspicion in this respect.
There is anothei matter wliieh I have |>:nl to suhmit hefon' this House,
(loverninent has to ineur u loss of about o to 1(1 lakhs a year —I think the
fijfure may la* higher than this. The rate of contraef in the rationing
^^xlowns is much higher than the rate in the Civil Supplies godow^ns,
although the woik is the same. J would draw the attention of the Hon’blu
the finance Minister to this matter; the public should not be depriveil to tlie
extent of Us. HI lakhs given to contractors ot Uationing Department.
As regards the cfirruption prevailing in the Civil Supplies Department, I
would only say that the Hon'ble Minister <oul<l not as yet remove the
corruption prevailing in the office of the District Civil Su]»pl> Officer in his
district from whifdi district I als(» cofm*. Sonutiiucs, say a month before,
some per. so ns approachcil ff»i permit for umbrellas. V»m can get umbrellas
only if your pe1iti<m is [(uwatdod Iin tie* District Controller of Ci\il Supplies
of the district to which you belong; but what docs the staff of his office doP
( (irruption is prevalent then*. The petition is not n'commeiuled unless you
pay something to the officer of that department. About two inonthH before
three jicence.s for foodgrains have been suspended b\ the then District
Controller for adopting foul means, but as soon as the new District (,'ontroller
joined, he withdrew' that su.spension order and allowed thosi* traders to
‘ ontinue although there is enough on record again.st tliosi* foodgrain dealers.
Mr. SPEAKER; Your time is over.
' {The member having reached his time-Hmit r(*.sumed his seat at this
stage.)'”
Mr. OSMAN CAN! : Mr. Speaker, Sir, we requested (he Hon’ble Minister
in charge of ('ivil Sujiplies to withdraw” the rice and paddy licences which
have been issued on a tliana basis. The Hon’ble Minister assured us that
(he circiUar which wa^ issued to that effect would be withdrawn immediately,
hut up till now I have come to learn that that circular has not been withdraw'n
and rice and paddy are not moving from one thaiia to another thana.
4* godowns I would like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble
Miniater that f.’aleutta riots have given us wime sort of impression that
^ow^ should W consiruetad in Park Circus and some other localities
mhabiied by Muhammadans and the go<lowns in the Hindu areas should be
^uaRy divided in Calcutta.
W DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [ 16 th Sept.,
Mr, SPEAKER! W)iat I ithall remember is that the honourable member
can express himself very correctly in English.
Mr. ABDUS SABUR KHAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the interest about
|>articiputiiif< in the Hudj^et di.scusHion has vanished, because of the decision
of the Opposition so as not to participate in the debate. But one thing I
would like to luing to the notice of everybody and it is this. What is the
position and what is the scope of State trading just ahead of us*^ Probably
All of us liuve noticed with a very heavy heart that we have got foodgruins for
one month onl}' in our reserves. Of i-ourse my friends of the Opposition are
out to discredit and disgrace this Ministry and to saddle it with the wrong
burden ol responsibility regarding riots, but the\ ought to be very careful
about tiieir criticism and about their constructive suggestions which we
Lave Very tervently sought irom time to time a^ to the improvement of the
food situation in this country. Today the ( ongress have come to the (Vntre
and it is tpiite natural that Pandit Nehru’s A«lmini, strut ion will do everything
to save the impending famine situation contiar\ to as the ('entre did in the
year UMd, hut alter the Chief Minister’s hanlie .ippeal uj) till now no
assurance has ( ome fr<»n» an\ (|uartet.s t«» replenish oi to .subsidis(> the already
faiiiiHhed sto: k of Bengal. I should like to eiujuii’e Iroiu the Hon’ble
Minister, ( ivil Supjdies, as to tin* p!isilion of firocureiuent from within this
•country and the seope and pOssibilitN of procuiemeril from ahroad. Well,
a« regards procurement from within this country, as I hav(‘ .stated in my
l)r(*vi(uis speech dtrring the ail n»ui nnient luotuin, forced procureimuit will not
be aide to luing an\ reliet or replenish the stock. It is rather voluntary
contribution ot the excess stock which the eiiltivator will be ver\ glad to
come forward l(» save the hungrv millions of the deficit aiea. ('ontrar\ to
expectation a forced and eompulsoiy jecjuisition was introduced with a uoti-
ficafioii that stocks above on<* thousand mauiids onl\ will be seized, but in
pi’iictiee we have foumi that stocks much hidow one thousand niaunds have
been .seized. 1 represent a surplus area and naturalK it is m\ interest to see
that the grow»*rs there are amply paid for what the\ have grown with their
labour and iiione> , but to niy utmost objei tion and dislike I would like to
toll this House tliat in maii\ eases rtHpiisitions have lieeii made on wrong
information. A('tuall\ the lequisitioned stock has lieeii found to l)e very
much Im'Iow one thousand maunds and the prices for such requisitioned stuff
bave always been varied whenever and wherever it has been found necessary
aikI convenient. I would ai.so invite a reply from the Hon’ble Minister for
•(^ivil Supplies as to the stock he bus been able to get through forced requisi-
tion, If it is found that the stock is not up to the murk or up to the expecta-
tion of ever^>bod>, then 1 would question the necessity of forced requisition
’which every cultivator of surplus areas has resented. We have been eon-
Inmted witli many sorts of maliidous propaganda and questions. We shall
discuss separately things relating to the (’ivil Supplies Department when
that suhjei’t will come up before this House for (oiisideraUun, but let me
tell this House that since the last udiouriimeut motion things in the Civil
Supplies Department are exactly in the same place where we left them at
that tinie. The system of licence to which the attention of Government was
draw’ll is still in vogue and no attempt has been made to issue fresh licences
or to give inort* trading facilities to the rice and paddy traders of this
country. Rather to iiiy utmost surprise we still find that some section of
the people, some marketing caucus is .still jiredominating in the commercial
enterprises of Betipil. 1 earnestly appeal to Hon’hle Minister. Civil
Supplies, to extena more irnding facilities, issue more licences, more
renewals of licences to the merchants of surplus ureas who ea.sily and
naturally, without depending on the Dire<'torute of Movements, can arrange
for the flow* of sur]>lus rice to the deficit areas. Some such way ought to have
been devised in oi^er to avoid the delay that is caused by the Directorate of
Movements. Aus crop is now* over. We ought to have experimented some
such device regarding aus crop if rice was to be decontrolled and if a system
1946.]
DEMAND FUH GRANTS.
67
of natural flow from surplus to deficit areas were to be established. But so
far as we find, no such attempt has been made and indeed it is very much
rejrrettable that in spite of our repeated demand experiments on these lines
are not being undertaken. In this matter the I)ire<tonite of Movements
is very slow and absolutely worthless. My friends have dealt with this
problem to a very great extent. I had no mind to go into the problem, but
only to emphasize (»ne or two important [Joints. I am g«>ing to participate
in it. The Civil Supplies (Officers are of several categories. There are old
superannuated officers of which my friend has gi\en a very glaring instance.
There are lawyer officers — those briefless barristers who could not shine in
that profession have gone into the Civil .Supplies Department in order to
ameliorate the [jublic distress ai< also t<j ameliorate thmr own distress. These
people are not lawyer-Magistrates. How on earth these briefless barristem
could be recruited for Civil .Supplies Department 1 do not understand. The
very fact that this a temporary de[)artincnt makes tin* officers irresponsible
and those jjeople \\b(» have been recruited there have no guarantee or
assuraine of the continuity of their scrxices. Naturally they will stoop
low for money and seize the <j[iportunities that will occur before them,
(lovernnient ought to liave given serious consiileration to these things.
There arc also im'rchanf offit its in the Dirccloiate of Textiles and the
Directoratt* of Consumers (nwid.*'. We fiml that peojde u ho had been holding
some [josts in the merdiaiit offices are all id a sudden becoming big oflioers
in that De[>artmen(. 1’liey hav# uIm* brought a cotcric of men along with
them who are enjoving further facilities in this Department. ^riiiM is a very
had sy.stem. If the I.C.S. people who iie\er sold a single grain of rice and
never had a chance of having a grocery can act as Directors and ('ontnillerH
of Civil .Supfilies. the same set of pcnple can lun ihcsi* nranches more
efficiently tfian the merchant and niilitar\ idlicers. Now, Sir, the very fact
that this Is a <(*mi)orar\ department is making the officers callous. Krtini the
higlic''t officer in the Ci\il Supplies Deparlmeiil down fo the chaiJrasi the
whole system should he thoroughly overhauled and necessary tiansfers must
he tuade without delay This De[»artnient should he com|delely regenerated
with permanent (iovernment officers who will not have to think fhaf aflei the
termination of the Civil Supplies Depaitmeiif fiiey will also have to leave
their services. At [iresent they suffer from a souse of insecunly and do luit
feel seriously ahoul (fieir respoiisilulity Sn. this sen»«e of irresponsibility
is dominating the wlmle Civil Supplies Department and still (iovernment
is not taking stejjs to rectify the position.
Now. Sir, I would refer to soim* glaring insf.ances of injimtifc Iming rlorie
to Mu.slims of this D<‘jjartment and in my .sp4*cch which I deliveii'd on
an adjournment motion I gave instances how Muslim store-keepers, Muslim
Hulesrnen have been wroiigK im[>licated in false casos, wlinh were dono
delil>erattd> willi motive.s. Now, though tlie.se pf'oph* were honourably
acijuitted in courts they were not given any chance to n'snine their [KJsfs by
the Dejjartmenf. I also know of c.ises in which Hindu officers who got
striitures fiom the courts had been promoted while Muslim oflieers who have
been discharged f>y the court yyithoiit any stiii lures have not been allowed
to join their jirevious jmsis. I’here is absolutely no reason why such
differentia] tteatmeni sliould he meted out fo Muslim enifdoyees of the
Department, I wimld tlierefore again .suggest that this De|nntmefif should
be thoroiiglily regenerated and reoi-gunised ,
Sir, We are deprived of valuable suggestions of the Djjpoiition in* the
matter of Food whicli is coming before us for consjfh*raf ion, I would reijuesi
the Opposition to take this matter into their serious cnrisideraf ion. 'f’lio
condition of DlCl must lie resisted, nnisi he siojjped and with this end in view
w*e must }»e in right earne.st to arm ouiMdves frfun beforehand. We must Im
on our guard so that we will not have to f>e faced with a .similar calamity.
With these few word^ I resume my »eat. 1 shall he very happy if I get
a reply on the ppint» I have mentioned.
68
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
[16tu Sept.,
The HOft*ble Mr. ABDUL COFRAN; My honourable friend Mr. Abdul
Hakim ba-s rai«ed several {jue»tions which I believe require replies.
He said that in the matter of appointments, justice is not being shown to
all communities irres|Hi( live of caste or creed. I may tell him that communal
ratio rules which were promulgated after a good deal of negotiations between
major parties will be and are being very sedulou.sly observed at present.
About trade, my friend has said that sufficient facilities are not being
given to MuNlims. It is true that Muslims and Scheduled Caste people did
not enter into trade before, and there was a certain instruction from the
Government of India that unless these people had been trading for three
years Indore which is called basic year, the\ would not be allowed
licenses in respect of foodgraina and some other commodities. The legal
implicatioji of that rule ha.s been examined very carefully; 1 have taken the
opinion of the Legal Kememhrancer as w'ell as of the Advocate-General, and
now it has lieen decided that the basic year sliouhi not stand in the wa.^ of
granting licenses lor toodgruins or other commodities, and instructions are
going to he issued very soon (cries ot hear, bean.
My friend has also said that there are ma!i> letired otfieers now serving
in the Latorcemeiit Branch ami some otlier branches of the ('ivil Supplies
Department. With regard to that I ma> mention that 1 have taken down
the names and have also ascertained the etficiem v ol these gentlemen. I
have already issued an order that gradually they will l)e replaced h\ efficient
offic<*rs, because it will not l)e p<KssIble to secure efficient officers all at onct*,
and I have alrcad,\ given notice tfj jour pcisoii" to }>e released as .soon as
possible.
.\hout th(‘ Muslim latio I ha\f‘ alte.ids said that a*' it is a question ot
doing justice to all communiti«‘s and in view (d the t.ici that dumig Section
Od regime the communal ralii) rule has not he4*n cimdully observed. I luive
ttlreudv issued an onler that in future all ajipointmeiits whethei by promo-
tion or hs «lit(*et recruitment, should he gi\en to Muslims ami Sch(‘duh‘<l
(‘ustes till paiits is reiiched.
.\s regards contracts ot lran.s[)oil ami labour in ( alcutla that onl\ one
man used to do iliis business. I have ordenul that the carr\ing l)Usiness of
('ah’Utta should la* split up into seveial pail--, and that should he distriiuited
aftt'r t(*ndcrs are called. I tlo not uuder>taml how my fiicml s,i\s iliat no
action has been taken in this behalf, when a notn-e h;ts alrea<lv been issued
and tlie\ Were published in various pap<*is nt Calcutta. It has said
that there is corruption in the Civil Supplies Department. As rcganls
corruption, I have heard such general remarks being made hotli in the press
as well as on the jilattorm. You can very well understaml that unless
specific allegations arc made no action can he taken against any jausou. It
is ne<'essar\ that wv must have enough t*videiice so that tlie delimpient may
b(? sent up in (’ourt to take his trial. I have already tidd. and I still hold
the \ lew that if there he strong suspicion against anv person ot the Civil
Supplies, 1 shall ceitainly serve a notiee <>n him ti» leave the Deiiartiueiit
within a mouth.
It has been said tliat license-ladders cannot trade beyoml a certain limit.
namel> , that if be lias been gianteil a th.ina lieeu'^e lie can trade only within
the thana. I have already g'ot tliat imalified ,md now f have pa.'^sed an order
that a trader on taking a license can tiade throughout the wlnde sulxlivisiiui ;
he ean have an> number of lieenses for any number ot subdivi.sions. So that
difficulty has been ver\ idearl) obviated.
Mr. Osman Gbani lias suggested that there should 1 m» a godown in the
Park ('ircus urea. 1 have already taken steps to that there might be such
giulowns in almost every part of the town where the Mii.slims are in a
majority and also where the Hiiidus are in a majority so that there may not
be any difficulty if in future any trtjubles arise in movement of the foodstuffs.
1946.]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
Then, my friend Mr. Sabur ban suggested that Government decided to
requisition only stot ks over inaunds, but still stocks of lesser quantity
have also been requisitioned. I may inform him that that decision has lieen
modified and now stocks of lesser quantity, vii., above r)00 maunds, have
been asked to be requisitioned.
Then, my friend has said that 8<*veral Muslims, who had been prosecuted,
have not been reinstated after acquittal. Some such appeals have been made
and I have called for report and I have taken aetion in respect of several of
these rases.
I think I have given replies to all the ptunts that liave ]»een raised by niy
friends here and T hope they will now piiss the grant which has been moved.
The motion of the Ifon’Me Mr. Abdul (lofraii that a sum of Us. oft.Ol.OtM)
be granted for expenditure under the head “SoA-( ’a)>ital outlay (Ui provincial
scheme*^ of State Trading*’ was then put ami agreed t(».
Adjournment.
Ihe House was then adjourned at li-pt pan. till ‘.,^-.*10 t>.m. on Tuesday, the
l^th Se))temher, 194tl, at the Assenihl\ House, t’aleutta.
f0 [ITtb Sept,,
Proetediiif i <rf the Bengal Legit lative Attembly attembled under
the provitioni of the Government of India Acti 1935.
The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Tuesday, the
17th September, 1946, at 2-f30 p.m.
Preient:
Mr. Sj»eaker (the Hoii’ble Mr. Xurul Amin) in the Chair, 6 Hon’ble
Ministers and 200 members.
STARRED QUESTIONS
(to which oral antwert were given)
Realisation of collective fines from peasants of Balurghat.
*39. Mr. RUP NARAYAN RAY; Will the Hon'hle Minister in charge
of the Home J)ej)urtment he pleased to state —
{(i) the amount of punitive tax or <(>llective fines realised from the sub-
division of Halurghat (I)inajpur) in connection with the
disturbances that took jdace in Augu'^t and suhsetiueiit months
in 1042;
(h) how niucli ot iliese faxes or fines, so j-olb'cted, wen* realised troiii
the peasants there;
(c) whether the (bnernment propose to return tlie mone\ , so obtained
to their respective payees; ami
{(i) whether th<‘ (Government contemplate setting u]> a non-offiriul
en(|iiiry committee to investigate into the atrocities that were
committed by police and other otiicers against the iieojde of
Balurghat while collecting thes<* fines?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8.
Suhrawardy): Bs. (;:>.d80 have been realised as collective fines.
(fi) Kignres are not readily available and 1 am not prepared to order the
eollection of these details, as the time and lahoiir spent on it will not be
eommensurati* with the result to be obtained.
(c) \o.
{<!) Nti; (Government an* not aware of (he eommission of any atrocities.
Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERill: With reference to answer (c) ig
the Hon’ble Minister aware (hat in (s>ngre>s provinces the collective fines
Hint W'ere realised have been returned?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Yes.
Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERJI: Does the Hon’ble Minister con-
sider it desirable that in this piovince also the fines so reiilised should be
returned ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Xo.
Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERdl: Will the Hon ble Minister be
pleased to state w hy m)t ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Because in Uongress provinces those
who are in j^wer are the friends of those who committed the offences and
who were eulogised by them as heroes. It was necessary for them to refund
the fines while in this province the Ministry does not talce up that attitude.
1946 .]
QUESTIONS.
n
Mr# NI8HITHA NATH KUNDUs Doe« th« Hon’bk Hkiiiter say from
personal knowledge that because the Congresj? thought them to be heroes
that the fines were remitted and returned
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAOs Not from personal knowledge, but
ttutomati(ydIy it appears that unless the Congress Ministry refuml tie fines
they stand self-condemned.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the lloirhle Minister think it
desirable to encpiire from the l*rovincial authorities elsewhere why the fines
were remitted ^
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: We know from Press reimrts the
Congress (Tovernments rvturned the fines heuiuj.e those weit* (H>llei‘te<l for the
offences (ommitted bv their colleagues during (he August disturbances of
1942 .
Dr. 8URE8H CHANDRA BANERJI: Ihas the lion hie Minister
wnsider the im[K)sition of such punitive taxes justifiable ^
Mr, 8PEAKER: That is a matter ol opinion.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Is the llotPble Minister aware that
some times (xillective fines were im|K>sed even on innocent persons wlu> had
nothing t^t do with the offences committed for which collective fines were
imjH>sed ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Yes
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the llondde Minister think it
desimhle to eiKiuire into such (’ases in th<‘ province and give them some relief
if imposition has iuxui made on innocent persons)^
Mr. 8PEAKER: I think that is the prim ijile of (X)llective fine.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Hut, Sir, lliere is no bar to Dovern-
ment giving sonic relief t<» innocent p«M)ple,
Mr, HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: The (lovernment has, ol conrse, taken
into consideration individual cji'.es and has reinitt(‘d some fines.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the llon’hle Minister know
that in Ihilurghal subdivision one Maharaj Hahadui Singli has instituted a
civil suit (|uestK)ning the iiiipcKsitioii <d c4)lleclive fines there hy (lovernmentK
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: Tiie mattn- is still .„h-juihrv.
Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: With reiereme to the Utter
part of aiiswei {<!) will the ilon’lde Minister he pleased Ut sLilp whether
(iovernment t<K)k note ol newspafMM- reports that atr<M ities were (xumnitted
by the jxjlice and other officers agaui*'t the pe^iple <d Halurghat while
collecting the^^e fines y
Mr. 8PEAKER: That qnestioii (xiiinot he allowed. .NewsjMipei rejMUt
cannot he the Uisis of any questum.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: Will the llon’lde Minister he pleased U>
state wliat is the principle in\<dved which st<K)d in the \\a> of rr*tufning the
fines so imfmed ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD: fn the opinion ol the then tiovermnenl
excb.sses were eomniitled hy the peciple and they thought that imjMrsition of
collective fines would he the best remedy against those excesses.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: In view of the fact that it was the
opinion of the then (iovernment, will the Hon’ hie Minister be pleiised to
state whether this (iovernment also support the conduct of the then
(iovernment ?
58 QUESTIONS. flTra Sept..
Mr. HAMIOUOOIN AHMAD: Individual cased have been taken into
oonsideration and fines have been remitted but not in all cases.
Mr. BIMAL DOMAR CHOSE: Will the Soa'ble Minhfer be pleased
to state some of the principles in respect of which or upon which some fines
W0re remitted?
Mr. HAMIDUDOIN AHMAD: In cii.seK where Government on enquiry
fouml that the people were innocent the fines were remitted.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Does the Ilon’ble Minister think it
desirable to enquire from other provinces the exact reasons for which the
fines were remitted and returned and let the House know of it?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMAD. Government does not think it necessary.
Conduct of I. B. officers in a oonferenoe at Natore.
*40. Mr. PRAVABH CHANDRA LAHIRY; (a) Is the Hon'ble
Minister in chaiq'e of the Home Department aware that a subdivisional
political conference was recently held at Natore (Rajshahi) talkie hall under
the presidentship of a member of tins House wherein the police officers in
uniform and the 1. It. officers in plain ( lothes were said to he deputed there
by the distiict inilhorities oj Uapshahi under the Defence of India Rules?
(h) If the answer ti^ (tt) is in the affirmative, wdll the Hon'hle Minister
be ph’usi'd jo stale whether it is a fact that the police and the I. B. officers
<lid not stand iqi along' with the whcde house* when a (‘ondolcmce resolution
was being put fi'oni the chair as a mark of resjiect to the departed patriots?
(v) Will the Hon hie Minister he pleased to ."tate wh<*thc‘r there is any
instruction of the' Government upon its officers to stick to thc‘ir seats W’hiie
the whcdc' house is standing in respec*! ?
(c/) 1 1 not. will the Hon’ble Minister he ])leased to state whether he
proposes lo take' iin\ action in the matter?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on bohatf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8.
SuhriWirdy): to) Yt^s. The Nat4U- Subdivisional ('uiigress AVorkers’ (V)U-
fereiiee was held at the Nator (’inema Hall on the !9th May, under
the presidentship of Rrofes.MU* .l\otish ('hamlia Ghosh, A Magistrate ond
Polic'e ottic'ers both uniformed and in plain clothes attended the* ('onferenc^e.
{!>) Yes.
(c) Tiider the ‘*Go\ernment Servants Gonduct Rules’’ Government
officers caimot take part in the proceedings of such meetings.
{d) Doc’s not arise.
Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: With reference to answer (c),
is the Hon’hle Minister in charge of the Home Department aware that a
political meeting is attended by mm-political men and women also «nd that
they too stand up with the actual partici^Kinfs wlien called upon to do so by
the President of the meeting only as a mark of common courtesy and that it
does not mean any participatHui in the proceedings in view of the fact — —
Mr. 8PEAKER: Tlmt is tm> lengthy a question: I C4innot allow it.
Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: Does the Hon hie Minister
think that mere standing up with the whole house constitutes participation
an the proceedings of the meeting?
Mr. SPEAKER: That is a matter of opinion.
>46] QUESTIONS. 7S
Ififant mortality stalistioi aiitf milk suf^iy to ohiklroii in Bonpl.
•41. Mrs. ASHALATA SEN: ut) Will the Hou’blf Minister in charge
if the Department of Health and l.oeal Self-Ciovernmeut l>c pleaseil to lay
in the Table a statement Bhowing: —
(f) how many rhildi-en were Ihujj in the yt'urs 194*^, 1943, 1944, 1945
and HMG in the Provinre of Beujral ; and
ui) how' many of them died within years from birth K (The figftires
to Im» shown separately in resj>eet of emh year.)
ib) Is there any milk eanteen for the ehildren »n the Province of Bengal
established ut the i‘XjKMise of tio\ eminent y
<r) It the answer to elunse (b) is in the uHiimative, will the HoiPble
Mini''tei be jdeased to state how mun\ eantet'iis there are and where they
lia^e been e'^tablished ^
MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and LOCAL
SELF-GOVERNMENT (the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed All): {a ) A state-
ment showing birtliH and deaths amongst children under one year and one to
five }ears of age is placed on the lahrar\ Table. Death tignres under three
yoiirs of age are not available as they are not seiKiralely recorded.
iM \es.
(ci Forty canteens a list ot which is placed on th(‘ liihnuy Table.
Recruitment of officers in Post-War Fire Service of Bengal.
•42. Mr. DHANANJOY ROY: (a) Will the llon'ble Minister in charge
ol the IJejiaitmenf <d Health and Local Scll-( iovennm*nt he jdeased lu
state—
/) whctloM' ihei e has been aiiv re<nntiuent of oftii efs in the Depart merit
ot post-Wat Development, Pin* Service in Hengal, alter th(‘
as-vuiii jitioii o{ otiicc bv tile piosent Ministiy;
w liet her there was aiiv atlv <‘rt Cseineiit t«»r the post of Directoi, Dejmty
Director, two IL'gional Otlicers and three Deputy Hegioutil
(Mliccis of Fire Servi^a*; and
wn) \vli<>tlo*i iccniil mcht of one Director, one Deputy Diicctoi ami two
Regional Uth< cfs were made!'
<b\ It the answer to is in the ultirimitive, will the llon*)>le Minister
be plcas4‘d to stale —
</) whether thev are lb*ngalees or non-Ibuigalei^h ; and
(//t whether there were anv Bengalee candidates!^
ic) It the answer to <//)(//) is in the afliriiiat i ve, will the Hon’ble MinisiiT
be plea-,3d t<i state whether flic (jovernimMit [uoposc to send the candidates for
those posts of Director, Deputy Director and Begi(»niil Officers t(^ the Pnfdic
Service ('ommission, Bengal':'
The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI; ia)(i) No : the scl.cme for a perma-
nent Bengal Fire Smvice is still under consi*leration.
Hi) and i/o) No: the desigiiationH, jurisdictions and cliaiges of certain
existing (dhcris of the lemiKuarv Bengal Fire Servict' have Iwaui altered^ to
seciii^ greati'i’ administrative efficiency. 4 wo officers of the ( uleiitta I* ire
Brigade have fmen deputed temporarily to fill cf)nHe»|nential vucancieH in
the Bengtil Fire Service.
(b)ii) ttne of the deputed officers of the Calcutta Fire Brigade is an
Anglo-Indian resident in Bengal; the other is a Bengali Muslim,
(n) Does not arise. ‘
7 #
QUESTIONS.
[17th Sept.,
(r) Perm&nent raeancitfff in the OfBcer cadre of the permBnent Bengal
Fire Sendee, when that tierviee in establinhed, will, in the usual course, be
Hlled after a»n8uItafion witli the Public Service Commissoin, Bengal.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Arising out of
a (f}, will the Hon 'hie Minister be pleased to state when the Government
I come to a decision?'
The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot exactly give the target
date but the decision will be expedited.
Mr/ MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Rou ble
Minister he ple<ised to state how many of the Fire Brigade Stations have
been disbanded!*'
The Hofi’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am at raid I cannot give the
numl)er off-hand.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Rou ble
Minister Ik* pleased to state how many of t]>e Fire Brig<»de personnel have
been absorbed:'
The Hoil'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 am afraid 1 cannot ^ive the
answer off-hand.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble
Minister be phsised to state whether it is a ia<t that the {>laces wheie tliere
is no municijmhtv will he depn\etl of the Fire Brigade Stations!"
Th« HOfPble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Yes. Sn, that is most likely
correct, because when we have permanent Bengal Fire Service vve will give
the benefit of tire service to the largei municipalities in this province and
the (luestioii <)f giving such facilitie> to the non-municipal area cannot be
taken up b> (iovernment at this stage.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is the Ron bie
Minister aware that there are stations like Feni and Fhowundnii! which
are more im|>ortant than muni(‘ipal areas and they are going to he de])rived
if he follows this jirinciple?'
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: That is purely a matter of
opinion, hut 1 tliink that Feni .ind (’howimdiini are very hig places of
iniporlanc«‘ ami ma\ he the> are more imjHirhuil than some municipal areas,
but at the present moment we cannot give bicilities to all the muiiicipalitle.s
of this province. AVe shall have to restrict the facilities io the larger
mnnii ipalilies of this pixnince.
Policy of disposal of deroquisittoned promisee.
*43. Mrs, E. M. RICKETTS: Will the li(m’hle Minister in cliarge
of the (''hief Minister's ^Common Services) RejKUtuient he pleased to state —
(a) if it is the policy of the (iovernment that dere<iiiisitioned ]iremise»
shouhl Ik* offered in the first instance to the oarties in oc'cupation
at the time of the original requisitioning : and
\(>) if so, what are the circumstances under wdiich the premises at No. f»,
Bulk liiine, although already dei’equisitioneil have not lieen offered
to the previous tenants?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM (onjMbatf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Suhrawardy):
(o) Yes, a general rule. .
{h) The previous occupants did not a«k to be reinstated. Therefore, as
the house was rtH]uired as a students' hostel, and the owner was willing to
lease it for this purjiose, the house was taken over by Governiueiit in the
Education Depar^esL
QUESTIONS.
75
Mrs. £• Mi RICICETTts Will the Hoii’ble Minister he pleased to state
rhat steps were taken by (lovemment toasoeriain if all the previous tenants
Fere driven sufficient time to reply as to whether they wish to return to their
ats?
Mr> ABDUL KARIM: I think (rovernment ^ave notice to all informing
al»out the (kite of derequisition.
Detention of I.N.A. men in Bengal.
•44. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Will the Ilonldc Minister in
charge ot the Home Department he pleaded to lay on tin* Table a statement
sljowing the present uumlier of I.N.A. mt‘n and persons comoM ted with the
I,N A or persons described In* the (T«»vernim>nt as “Knemy agents" -
{//» who are .still in detention in llengal ;
fh) their names and full home addresses:
(( > how many ot them have been served with restric’tion (»rders under
OiMlinanct* 111 ot 1!>4-1; and
i(/‘ their names and home a«ldresses'’
Mr. K. NA8ARULLA (on behalf of the Hon*ble Mr. H. 8. 8uhriwar<ly):
ia) Nil.
(A) Does not aiise,
(fi One,
((/) Habu l^riti ('haudhury. s(»n ot Habu !leno\ Jlhnsou (’haudhury, of
Kadurkhil, lloalkhali, Dhittagong.
Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Wdl the Hon’Ide Minister be pleatunl
to state whether these I.N.A. men and t>ersons connected w'ith the I.N.A.
or per.soiis described by the Cfovernrnent as “Knemy agents” were prosecuted
under Ordinance III of 1044?
Mr. K. NA8ARULLA: I want notit^e.
Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Will the Ilon’ble Mini.ster l>e pleased
to .state how many of these I.N.A. men were executed and how many
sentenced to trar».s[>ortation for life?
Mr. K. NA8ARULLA: I want notice.
Legislation to deal with trafRo in women.
•48. Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: (n) Is the Ilun’ble Minister in
charge of the Home (Police) I)ei»rtment aware that due to the recent influx
of w'oinen of the town the nuisant e has greatly aggravated in the (^ty of
Calcutta?
(h) If so, what action, if any, the Government are projW)Hing to take to
clear the inhabited localities of the City of Calcutta of undesirable occupants
under the Bengal Suppre.ssion of Immoral Traffic Act?
(r) Ls the Hon'ble Mini.ster aware that stu ial health of the city has
deteriorated seriously due to the increase of public women therein?
(d) Ls the HoiC’ble Minister considering the de.sirability of taking ade-
quafe measures for removal of the nuiaaoce?
(e) Does the Hon’hle Minister pror)Ose to introduce fresh legislation
empowering the Police to cope adequately with the traffic in women, which
is daily growing in the City of Calcutta?
(/) Is it a fact that ^he steps that are being taken by the Police at preient
are not adequate to ensure rooting out of the evil in « short time?
76
QUESTION?^.
[ITtii Skpt.,
{y) Ih it a fact that punishment,** by way of nominal fines are
imiK)8e(l in ca«(*H of breach of the Bengal Suppression of Immoral Traffic
Act ant] that such steps are not enough to deter (tffenders?
ih) iJo the (loveriiiiient consider the de^irabilily <»f introduriiiL; jiH)re
stringent legislation to deal more effectively with the matter
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon’bie Mr. H. 8.
illhrawardy) : («) Yes, the evil was noticed as early as 1944. AVith the
cessation ol hoslihtjes and the deimrtnre ot large numbers of troop', from
the (Sty the evil has somewhat abated.
(A) Instructions were given to the Police t(» take action under the Bengal
Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act. IJtdd, against <'ommercialized vice and
W'itb the excei)tioii oi one {»r two ureas in the north, the ('ity has l)een ( leared
of the nuisance. The existing law does not prohibit individual pr{)stitution
and action cannot 1 m* taken by the Police under sectirm 0 of the A( t ex( ept on
a complaint us prescrilK'd therein. Sucli complaints are scarcely ever made.
{(') It is a fact that <luriug the war yeais pro.Ntitiition, open and clandes-
tine, incrca.s(Ml and the disseminatJon ot venereal diseases btHL'ame alarming.
Government ((M>k ste])s to control the situation by closing brothelh a." stated
uimve and by o))ening (dinics for the treatment and cure ot venereal diseases.
With the de|)flrlure of troops from (’alcutta the position is Fjot now a-* serious
a« it was.
(d) An aniendineiit made to the ej^isting Act in lune, PMb, lias consider-
ably improved it. but it is found t(» })e still (b‘iecti\e and weak in certain
respei'ts. J*urther amendments are under the consideration of (lovernmeut.
(e) and (/) The unswei- is as given in id) nlK>ve.
(y) In very few’ ('um^s has the maximum fine of Bs.50 provided in the
Act been imposed. This is, how’ever, a matter for the courts. Prosecjitiug
offica'i’s ha\e iieen dire<ted to press for the award of deterrent sentences on
conviction.
(h) Please s(‘e answer to (V7).
8ATI8H CHANDRA B08ES Is the Hon’bie Minister uw'aie that
commercialised vice still exists in tiouth Calcutta?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMEDs ^es, it exist*., but not in such >eriou8
form as before.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY; Arising out of
(A), will the Hon'ble Minister l>e pleased to state the names of the areas
in the city
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMEDs Centrol (^alcutta ns a wdiole.
Mr« MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ. AVith respect to answ’er {d) where it has
been stated that further amendments ore uncler the consideration of Govern-
mentj wrill the Hon’ble Miiii.ster be pleased to state when there is a likelihood
of bringing such a legislation ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED. At the earliest opportunity.
Control of tanks under OaloiitU Corporation.
^46. Dr. MOZAMMEL HDBSAINs in) Will the Hon’bie Minister in
charge of the IVpartmeut of Agriculture l)e pleased to state whether it is a
fact that all the tanks under (^alcutta Corporation are under direct control
ul Bengal Governmenl for improvement of fishery industry'?
(h) If the answer to (o) is in the affirmatiTe, will the Hon’hle Minister be
pleas^ to state what scheme^ if any^ has been adopted for the purpose f
1946.] QUESTIONS. 77
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED (on behalf of the Hon'ble Mr. Ahmed
Hossain): (a) No.
(/>) Does not arise.
Mf. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUEs l)i>es the Government
contemplate takiii^^ up the iiiipix>vement ot Uiiiks in (.iiknitta which are now
Tinder the Cnlcutta CorjK)rati<)n y
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Yes. the scheme tor utilisation of tonka
belongiujj to tlie C^alcutUi C urimratiiui hv the Director of Fislieries for rearing;
fish is under contemplation.
UNSTARRED QUESTIONS
(answers to whkh were laid on the table)
Hon’ble Chief Minister’s assurance to release political prisoners.
11. (SiioRi Notick.) Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: { a ) Will the
Eon’hle .Nfini'^ter in diarge oi the llnme Di*partment he ph'asi'd to state
whether it is a fact that an assuianee was givmi h\ the Hon’hle ('hiel Minister
to the demonstrators assemhled at the As.sejnhly eonnM)uml on tin* 2dth .luly
last for th(' release of all ptditieal priMumrs ludore the loth August, 1946,
and the withdrawal of tian on the I'orwanl Ifloe hetore the .same date^
(6) If the answer to in) is in the aHirmative, will tin* llon’hle Minister
pleased to stute whether the (loverninent are eoiiMidfTing to implement that
assurance forthwith:'
The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. 8UHRAWARDY: Ui) No
(h) D(U‘s not arise.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU* Will the Hon’hle Minister be pleased
to repeat the statement tliat was made by the lloii’ble ('hief Minister on the
15th August ill the Assembly (H>m|K)Undy
Mr. 8PEAKER: The statement oi (he lloirble (’hiei Minister umde on
the 15th August is alremly in the procwdiiigs.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU; No, Sir, 1 am r(‘fei ring to the Htale*
meni made not here in the House but outside in the maidan west of this
building on the 24th July.
Tho Hon’blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI; The ^uestioD refers to 15th
August.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Fifteenth was the date fixed for
release.
Mr. 8PEAKER: I think on that (kite the Chief Minister made a state-
ment in regArd to the jmlitical prisoners who could be released. I think on
the 15th August also the Hon’hle Chief Minister made a statement on the
flour of this House with regard to the jaditical nriMiners who could not be
relea.sed un that date. SiUiie priMUiers were released on the J5lh and he
made a statement on that very day with regard io the other political
prisoners who could not be releasetl. I think that statement has superseded
the previous statement, l/ct us confine <»ur»elves to the statement ma^le on
the J5th August.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU. The question relates to the statement
of 24th July.
TIm HMi’bto Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: On the 24th July, the Hcm'ble
Chief Minister mede a statement and promised that he woTild announce hie
decision regarding the* release of political prisoners on or before the 16th
QUESTIONS.
[17th Sept.,
7S
August, aufl in pursuance of thftt announcement the Hon’ble Chief Minister
on the 15th August made an announcemeut on the floor of the House that
he had passed orders for the release of all pre-reform political prisoners.
The an.swer “No” in (a) means that he did not make any promise or
announcement regarding the withdrawal of kin on the Forward Bloc on the
24th July. His statement only referred to the question of announcement
of Government decision regarding the release of political prisoners and the
House is jtware that in accordance with the announcement made he imple-
mented his promise (Ui tlie 15th and all the political prisoners have been
released.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Iloirble Minister be pleased
to enlighten us if the Government are thinking of w'ithdrawing the ban on
the “Forward Bloc*' and releasing tlie convicted jKditical prisoners}^
Thu Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED All: The matter is engaging the
attention of Government.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the llon’ble
Minister be pleased to state how many of the pre-retonii [xilitical prisoners
have been released since tlie loth of Augusts
Thu Hon’blu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: All the pre-rebum inditical
prisoners have lieen relcascil. There was difli« ul(y alsmt one only. There
was one pre-ielonn jHiIitical prisoner whose name was Nareti Ghosh, liiit the
relea.se older in resjiect oi that piditual prisonei wa.s not issue<l through a
misbike, beitiirse there was auotlier Naten Ghosh who was released
previously. Therefore due to a mistake in othce, liis relea.se order was not
at first issued, tmt suh.seijiieiitly alumt a week back his release order was
issued, and now it (an be siiid that all the pre-reform political pri.soners have
been released.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble
Minister be pletised to state what is their number!''
Thu Hon’blu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am j^orry I cannot give you the
number.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARY: lu view of the fact that all
the iM)litical prisoners have been released does the Government think it
desirable to lift the ban on Jogesh Chandra Chatlerji who is now outside
Bengal ?
Thu Hon’blU Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 am afraid 1 shall have to ask for
notice.
Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Will the Hon’bie Mini.ster be pleased
to state if the Government wdll remove the ban on the Bengal Provincial
Forward Bloc!'
Thu Hon’hiu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 ask for notice,
Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state by which date Government will release all the political prisoners?
Thu HOfl'blu Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: As 1 have said all pre-reform
political pris<.>ners have been released.
Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BASU: There are other political prisoners.
Thu HOIl’hlU Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The only prigoners who are
detained now are convicted prisoners in connection with August, 1942
disturl^auoes.
Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Is the Government prepared to give
a date by which all the political priaoneru arrested in eonnuciion with 1942
auetument be rsleas^P
1946.]
QUESTIONS.
79
Th# Hon’bld Mr. MOHAMMED ALI. No tarjar€*t tlut^ can be ffiveiL) but
the Chief Minister is considerinp^ all aspects of this question.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU. Is the Ilon’hle Minister aware that
there are more than 20 prisoners in the Mi(lnat)ore Jail who were CHinvicted in
connection with 1942 niovement and of whom there are many who are
suffering*’ from serious diseases?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I have alremly sjtid that the only
political prisoner‘s who are now detained are the persons who were (X)nvicted
of offences during? the 1942 distnrlmm'es. All security prisoners have Wn
released and all prerrefonn |H>litical prisoners have ln*en relwised. So far
as the question of rele<ise of |K)Iili(^«il prisoners tHuivicted durinpr 1942
disturk'uices is coiuerned this matter is en^ra^Miif' the attention of the
Hon’hle Chief Minister. I admit that some of them are not in |r<K)d luvalth.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Is the Ilon’hle Minister consider-
in^r fl‘e desirahilij\ of rehsisin}.: immediatel\ those iirisoners who are
Mifferin;r from disea'-es?
ThO Hon’bls Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: As 1 have said the matter is
enjra^rin^»' the attention of the Ilon’hle Chief Minister. It is also the ^mlicy
of (io\ernment to rehnise prisoners if the circumstances of the health of a
prisoner aie such as would warrant his release, hut no such prisoner i.s now
in detention whose (suidilion wouhl justify his release on mediial j^round.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon’hle Minister ho
phsised to tell us hv which jieriod we shall he able to know that ihoso
prisoners will he released?
The Hofi’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 ciirinot tcivo tlir> Utrgft tlnlo.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATU: tho llon’lde Minister awnre that
there ar(‘ many petitions for the chiJsification of the prisoner.s convicted in
fMumection with 1942 iiHuement?
The Hon’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: May he. I am sorry T cannot
an.swei- that question without notice.
Mr. ABUL HA8HEM: In view’ of the fact tluit the ( hmf^ressmen <»f the
Opi>osition arc showing; .so much anxiety to release the pcditiixil prisonern,
may I know from the Hon’hle .Minister whether after the release of the pre-
reform politifxil prisoners, my C^m^ress friends, and as a mailer of that, the
Con^>:ress orp'anisiition did ^^ive them any recaption?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI; T have no official information,
hut 1 did see in newsiuipers .Munethinj^^ almut reception ^iven to the iwditical
prisoners. As far as my recollection reception was o^^fanised by the
Communist Party.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Pending the question of release of
political prisoners, doe.s the Government consider the desirahility of ktHqdnjf
all the prisoners convicted in connection with 1942 movement classified in
Division I and Division IIP
Tht Hon’bM Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The honourable member will
realise that so far as the convictefl pri.soners are (onrenuul, the (jueMtion of
their classification rests with the trying authority— the trying Magistrate.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: The question of classification rest#
with the Government.
The Hon’lllt Mr. MOHAMMED ALIf It doe« rest with the Government,
but dl these classificstions are made on ibe recommendation of the trying
Magistrates.
M QUESTIONS. [l"ra Sept.
Mr. J. e. CUPTAs Is the Hon’ble Minister aware that the reception
wan given k) the released pre-reform political prisoners on behalf of the all-
parties release campaign cjoinmitlee oon.sisting of League, Congress, Com-
muinsts And others ?
Mr, ABDUL KARIM: On a point of order, Sir. May I point out that
it is not the concern of Oovernment to be aware of that?
Mr, SPEAKER: Tliat is no point of order. Government chose to reply
to Mr. Abul llasliim’s (juestion; so 1 cannot stop Mr. Gupta.
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I have already said that 1
have no official information of that. 1 was relying entirely on my own
memory when I wiid tlnit I saw newspaper report of some reception given
to liie released militical prisoners, and it was on the basis of that report tlmt
I stated that tne reception was given by the members of the Communist
Party. 1 liave no further recollection in the matter.
Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA B08E: Is the llon’ble Minister aware that
the ban on the “forward Hloe” has alrwidy been removed by the ('entral
Government?
Th« Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 ha\e no official information o:
that, but I did see a report to that efiecl.
Mr. 8ATI8H CHANDRA BOSE: Will the Ilotrble Minister he pleasei
to state how long will it take the Tioral (ioverrimenl to consider the (piestioi
of removal of the ban on the “Forward Bloc”?
The Hon’bte Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot prophesy that.
Mr. PRAVA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: Will the Hon bio Minister b
pleused to stale whether there is iiny I..N.A. security prisoner in Heiijfarr
Th« Hon’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: I ask for notice.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Is the llnn’ble Minister aware tha
arming the (Hinvicted imlitical prisoners in Mitlnaporo there are some who ar
suffering from serious diseases and have not been classified in spite c
repeated petitions for these List five ye<irs?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Mr. Nishitlm Kuudu is genemll
well informed so far as the (sinditions of security prisoners are (‘oncernec
I am prejwired to take his word for the statement that they are not in goo
health. But so far as the question as to whether they are suffering froi
serious distMises is ('oucemed, that is, 1 should s*iy, a matter of opinion on
neither he nor myself are medical experts.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: In view of the answer given by th
Hon’ble Minister, I am supplying the name of the prisoner. His name i
Birendra Nath Barman. He is much deterioratetl in health. He has bee
asking for classification. His father also applied. I too tried my best t
bring it to the notice Does not the Hou'ble Minister, i
view of the information supplied by me just now, think it desirable t
enquire into tlie matter and make a classification in his case?
Tht Hofi’blt Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Yes, Sir. An enquiry into th
condition of health of the prisoner named by the Imnourable member will b
instituted, and if he is anxious to know the result, it will be communicate
to him.
1946.]
QFESTIONS.
SI
Controlling of Wotor4iyaointli.
12. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DUTTAs {a) Will the Hon hie Miniatei
in charge of the Dejiartnient of Agriculture he pleased to state —
(i) whether the Government are aware that the nwian crops of large
areas of lands in the district of Tippera specially in the Brahman-
baria subdivision are dcvStroyed each year by water-hyacinth ;
{ii) whether it is a fact that the destruction has l>een going on since the
year 1915 when water-hyacinth had upj)eared; and
(fif) whether it is a fact that |)eoplc of many areas |)etitioned the Govern-
ment for construction of wnter-hyacinth fencing to prevent the
destruction of crops H
(?>) Do the Government consider the desirability of constructing water-
hyacinth fencing under the Water-hyacinth Act?
(r) If so, in what areas?
The Hon*blo Mr. AHMED HOSAAIN: (a) {i) and (//) Yes.
(lit) I’etitions hav(* been received from time to time.
(b) Government have ik) immediate scheme. The whole question of
controlling and eradicating water-hyacinth throughout the Pi evince has been
dealt with in a I)evelo|)nient Scheme which is at present under the considera-
titm of a Technical Committee, un<l Government are awaiting the report
of the roinmittee before taking any action.
(r) Does not arise.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon hie Minister be
plwised to state whether Government took any steps to prevent destruction
of crops?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Yes, Sir
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Ibm hie Minister lie
pleased to state' whether the Water-Hyacinth Act was jmssed on the basis of
any plan?
Mr. HAMUIUDDIN AHMED: Yes, Sir.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon bb Minister be
ple;ised to state whether water-h.\acinth fencing was <s)nstruclc(l on the Isisis
of the Water-Hyacinth Act anywhere?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Yes. At some places in Tippera the
schenn* was experimented on the principle* of levying ces*! which proved a
failure, and Government stopped it.
Mr. MUHAMMAD RUKNUDDIN: Will the HoiPhle Minister ho
pleased Uj ^Uile when the report of the Technical Committee w'ill b«
submitted ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government is trying to expedite the
matter.
Mr. MUHAMMAD RUKNUDDIN: Will the HorPhle Minister be
pleased to state what steps Government projKise to Uke just now?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government expect to get the report
without delay and hope to take proper steps immediately thereafter.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is the Hon'ide
Minister aware that water-hyacinth is being utiJiz^'d as subsfifule for food,
and does he consider the desirability of ulilking water-hyacinth as substitute
for food instead of destroying and emdicating it ?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government will consider the matter.
82
QUESTIONS.
[17th Sept.,
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state, in the lijfht of answer (b) that peiidiiijj formulation of a particular
scheme, whether Ooverninent consider the desimbility of placing adequate
funds in the liands of tlie Union Boards, so that Union Boards can
independently cope with this problem immediately':'
» Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Many such schemes have been
experinienterl upon but none proved successful, (iovernment does not think
it desimble to spend any money in a haphazard way. Government is await-
ing the r(‘j>f)rt of the Technical (’^iiiimittee, and as soon as its report reaches
them, it will be duly con.sidered.
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Wdl the Hon hie Mi nister be pleiised to
state that Government machinery repeatedly proving unsuccessful, does he
think it desirable that the country and the people in the Union Boards
should he placed in charge of these affairs so that they can ameliorate their
own «)ndilioiis?
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: Government is trying to ameliorate the
ooudilioii.s ot the pt^ople.
Mr, d. C, GUPTA: Is the 1 1 on’ hie Minister aware that for want of co-
ordination and simultaneous aetlon in e\er> juirt where water-hyacinth
exists, efforts have failed in the past!*'
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: There 1ms n<> doubt been want of co-
ordination, hut the scheme which i> expected to he (‘volved w*ill bring alvoul
(X)-()rdination from e\ery l>ody.
Mr, il. C. GUPTA: Is the Ilon’hle Minister aware that from 193(1 up
till the jiresent day various schemes have been discussed, hut only on one
occasion when the Water-llyucinth Week was inaugumted with the help of
the p«»i)le in every Union, there was some relief?
Mr, HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: There was .some relief, hut it was not
successful.
Mr, MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’hle
Minister he pleased to .state the names <»f the ineinher.s of the Technical Com-
mittee with their (pialific^it ions ? ♦
Mr. HAMIDUDDIN AHMED: I want iitOice.
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Sir, I beg to draw y^our attention to a
certain matter.
Mr. 8PEAKER: Are you speaking on a 7 >oint of order?
Mr. ABDUS 8ABUR KHAN: Sir, 1 am going to make a request to
you.
Mr, 8PEAKER: But how does it arise. It must be either a point of
order or a point ol privilege.
Mr. ABDU8 BABUR KHAN: Sir, I rise on a point of privilege. Sir,
it is our painful memory that during the Calcutta riots a certain section of
the Press were most irresponsible and they are still publishing reports in
such an irresponsible miyiuer that there is every apprehension of tbe dis-
turbances spreading all. over tbe country. Cau we expect that full and
correct publicity of the deliberations that will take place on the 19th and
20th September will be given? Failing that do you not think it necessary
or desirable to close the Press galleries for those two days?
Mr. SPEAKER: I am concerned with the oorrect recording of the
ufooeedings. If I find any presa not recording the proceedings correctly,
I may then take action.
1946 .]
GOVaSIlNlfENT BILLS.
89
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Sir, for a jfreater benefit there might be
a slight departure from the routine procedure prescribed here. I would
request you, Sir, to take a Iwld step in the matter in order to preTont auch
a calamity ns might befall Bengal again.
GOVERNMENT BILLS.
Tha Bangil Special Tribunals (Continuance) Bill, 1946.
The Hon*ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir. I beg to move
that the Bengal Speoial Tribunals ( (on ti nuance) Bill, 1946, as passed by
the Bengal Legislative Council, be taken into consideration.
Sir, the object of this Bill is very simple. The two Special Trilmnnls
known as the First S|>eci«l Trihuital at Calcutta and Second Special Tribunal
at Calcutta, respectively, were constituted hv a imtiliiotion of the Oniral
(loveriimeut under section 3 of the ('riminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance,
1943 (Ordinance No. XXTX of 194*0. and under section 5 thereof certain
cases w’ere allotted to them for trial. As some of those cjises are still
pending In^fore those two tribunals and some doubts may arise a.s to the
<x)mpeten(*v of the .said tribunals to continue k) function in the disfHitMil of
the siiid cases in the event of their not l>eing disposed of before llu* expiration
of the peiiod of 6 months after the proclamatum of emergem'y in fon'e at
the (‘ommencement of the said Ordinance which has ceased to operate ami as
it may involve cHinsiderahle waste of public imincy if the (vises now pending
lictoi'c tlH‘>e tribunals Iiunc to be tri(*d ilt- novo by ordinar\y(Timina1 courts
it is nec4*sHary to introduce this Bill .so that the aforeiwiid triliunals may
continue to function and dispose of the cas(*s allotted to them under section
5 of the Ordinance referred to above.
The motion of the llon’hle Mr. Jogendra Nath Mandal tliat the Bengal
Special Tribunals (Continuance) Hill, 1946, as passed by tlie Bengal Legis-
lative Council be taken inUi oonsidaration, was then pul and agreed to. ^
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Sir, we do not oppose the Bill but
wkat I want to dra^i \oiir attention to is this that we are not competent or
in a po.sition to take up tliese Bills in this session because they were not
circulated to us as it used ki be done previously. In the absence of the Billa
we cxuild not apply our mind. For example the Bill which has been taken
up just now was not circulated beforehand.
Mr. SPEAKER. Are you epeiiking almut this Bill.
Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Yes, alamt this Bill and oilier Bills.
I do not know* if this Bill was circulated at all.
Mr. SPEAKER: Yes, this Bill was circulated.
Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Sir, I enquired of some of my
friends and- undersUxal that it was not circulated. So, I think if should be
dropped. The kw should be strictly followed.
Mr, SPEAKER: This Bill W’a« circukted on the Mih August.
Mr. SATI8H CHANDRA BOSE: But the original Bill was not
circukted.
Mr. SPEAKER : Yes, the original Bill was not circukted for it is not
nece^isary under the rulea* li is in the Library and members b*^ve always
an easy acoega to it.
Clanne /.
The question that clause 1 stand pari of the Bill wag then put and
agreed to.
m
[KTM Oftr-i.,
Clause 2.
The question that clause 2 stand part of the Bill was then put and
agreed to.
Clause 3.
The question that clause 3 stand part of the Bill was then put and
agreed to.
Preamltlc.
The (iuestion that the Preamble stand jwirt of the Bill was put and
agreed to.
The Hon'ble Mr. dOGENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, I beg to move
that the Bengal Special Tribunals (Continuance i Bill, Pt4fi, as settled in the
Asseinl)ly, be piissed.
Mr. A. F, STARK: Mr. Speaker, Sir, 1 would like k> raise just one
point. These two Spe(‘iul Tribunals, as 1 understand them Sir, were set up
to pr<»vide speedy trial of certain eases oi (‘orruplion. They were set up in
1943, and it is now 194(1; aiid 1 think the lkius<‘ is due some exjilanation of
the delay that is taking place in bringing tiiese wises to an end.
The Hon’ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, a large number
of cases had lieen allotted k) the First 3’ribunal and a large number of those
Wises were disixised of. Still al>out ten cases are iiemling. The Second
Special Tribuiiul to which the famous case of Mr. S. K. Ghose was allotted
has altH> pixigressed to a considerable extent. The number of witnesses and
the masses of evidence are so birge tliat in spite of the best attempt on the
part of the tribunal they could not fini.sh dealing with them earlier./ It is
expected that more than a year will be taken to come to a decision on the
cases. Only tliis Government can now bring it to the notice of those two
tribunals so as to give them a chance to expedite the trials of those cases.
More than that I am not in a position to say.
Tlie motion that the Bengal Special Tribunals (Continuance) Bill, 1946,
as settled in the Assembly, be passed, w’as then put and agreed to.
Th« Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1946,
The Hon’ble Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Sir, I beg to withdraw
the Bengal Criminal Law' Amendment Bill, 1946. This Bill proposes tc
provide certain measures for the speeily trial of riot cases, but those
measures are of such importance tliat it is desirable that in consultation with
the bN:iderH of the different parties of this House an agreed Bill should be
brought in.
Mr. SPEAKER: On a point of information, Mr. Maudal. Are you
withdrawing the Bill?
Tha Hon*bla Mr. JOCENDRA NATH MANDAL: Yes, Sir.
Mr. SPEAKER: In that case no speech is necessary because the Bill
has not yet been introduced.
(The Bill was taken as withdrawn.)
1946.] GOVEBNMENT RESOLUTION. 60
COViRNMEMT RESOLUTION.
Tilt HM’bto Mr* MOHAMMED ALIs Sir, 1 beg to move thiet thie
Assembly is of opinion that it is desirable that —
(/) the control of prices and the distribution of drugs within the
province ;
(2) fees in respect of the matters mentioned in clause (/);
(J) inquiries and statistics for the purpose of the matters mentioned in
clauses {1) and {2 ) ;
{4) ofltences against laws with respect to the mutters mentioned in
clauses (1) to (J) ; and
(J) the jurisdiction ami jH)wprs of courts with resi>ect to the matters
mentionetl in clauses {/) to {4),
uhich an* among the matters enumerated in the Provincial Legislative last
should be regulated in this Proxince by an Act of the (Vntral T/egislaiure.
Sir, members of this House are aware that the Defence of India Rules
will expire after the dOth of Sej»tember. PMtl, and after the expiry of those
rules the control over drugs will ce>iise to have operation not only here but in
other |wirts of the (ountrv. Hut even at this time it is necessary U) have
(MUitrol over them because supjdy has not Yi*t Improved and is not adetiuate.
'riieretore it Js felt that when the exiNtiUL' control ov(‘r drugs is relaxed,
those drugs winch are xerv imjHirtaiit in the imiller of saving life may be
traded upon in the l)laek-imirket. We have information that there are
some drugs which liaxe gone uudergixiund and when the control W’ill have
c<*^ised to have effect after tlie dOth Septemhen l!>4h, mer('hants who are in
jxissesMon of those drugs will he ruling still nn the black-market.
Now, it may he sind as this (M)mes within the sphere of Provincial Legis-
lature, a legislative enactment wotlld have met our purpose. Hut, Sir, it
will he realised that the^e drugs over which we want to exorcise contixd are
iio|K)iie(l diug'i, drugs whuii (s)me from foreign (s)uutries. Therefore the
question ot import is there. It w<)uld, tlierefore, he lietter ami desirjihle
that the (oiitiol tner <lrugs slwnild he on an all-India basis and, therefore,
we do not want to come in with a spimrate legislation .so far as (xmtix)! is
concerned. ^V e want to send our recominemlaiion to the (lovernment of
India and armed witli our recommendation and recximmendationH from other
Provincial Legislatures, it will he appropriate for the (iovernment of India
t^) introduce a Hill and have this (xmtrol over drugs retained. 1 hope there
will he no difference of opinion .so far as this matter is cs)ncerne<l ami the
resolution will he accepted.
As Mr. Speaker [Kiinted out seme time earlier, we projMJ.se to come up
tomorrow again with another resolution under .section JOd of the Goveni-
ment of India Act for retention of <‘S)ntr()l over various other commodities.
It W'ould liave been better if there could have been n comprehensive re.solution
so that all existing contiols might have been retained by the Government
of India hr one Act, hut it was felt ami I wa,s advise<l by the dejmrtinent
that so far as control •)ver drugs is concerned, it is better to have a serrate
resolution. Therefore, we have wine up to this House wdth this resolution
so far as cxuitrid river drugs is concerned. We pr^)fM)se to ceme up tomorrow
again with another resrdiition for retaining <x>ntrol over other essential
commodities.
With these words I commend my motion to the araeptance of the House.
Mr. SPEAKER: So far as chiu.se (I) i.s comerned, the proper language
will be like this. I admit this resolution with this change;
*'(1) the control of trade and commerce so far as it relates to the control
of price, amount and distribution of drugs within the Province;”
It fits in with the language of the Act.
GOVERNMENT BILL.
[IJTB Sept.
Th* Hon'bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: All right, Sir.
Mr. FAZLUR RAHMAN: I am sorry that an important thing like this
which infringes on the power of this House, which is within the Provincial
Legislative List and which power we are going to delegate to the Central
Government to legislate upon should have been brought bv the Hon’bie
Minister with such a short notice. Therefore, Sir, I would request the
Hon’bie Minister to jfwstpone itwS consideration for the time being and when
all members will be in a position to consider this, w^e may get it passed.
That can be done before the dOth September if the House so agrees. It
would only require a few minutes' time. Therefore, Sir, there is no point in
hurrying such an imiiorUint matter through the Legiskitive Assembly and I
would request the Hon’bie Minister to agree to postponement of the con-
si<leration of this resolution. Otherwise, if the Hon’bie Minister is not in a
position to do this, I would stand on the (luesfion of notice because it is a
short notice which cannot be done and which, I will say, is not in order.
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: I think this rescdution,
coming as it does, iiifringe.s on the rights of this House. It soys that the
Provincial Legislature is Imrdly competent to le^-islate on such matters. I
think it would be wrong to go to tlie (V‘ntrtil Legislature in which we have
got no confidence wliiilsoever at this critical juncture. So, I think it would
be totally unwise on the part of the Hon’bie Minister to go to tlie Central
Legislature in the form of a re.solution lather than make a legislation here
on the floor of this House with the consent of the parties sitting together.
So, my suggestion is \o have a piece of legi.slation in however short a time
it may he and not to go up U) the Central Legislature.
The Hon’bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir. ] would like time till
toiiKUTow t<» consider whether a resolution — one comprehensive resolution —
should not meet the re(iuirements. If you deter the consideration of this
residution till tomorrow, that would be better.
Mr. SPEAKER: All right, it is postponerl till tomorrow.
The Bengal Molasses Control Bill, 1946.
The Hon’bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I lieg to introduce the Bengal
Molasses Control Bill, 194(5.
(Secretary then read the short title of the Bill.)
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Mr. Spe<iker, Sir, the copy of the
Bill was circulated amongst tlie members only today just now.
Mr. SPEAKER: I think it will not he taken up today. You will have
ample time to cx)nsider it. It has only been introduced.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: May I request the Hon’bie Minister
not to proceed with this Bill further.
Mr. 8PEAKER: Only introduction today. When he (xunes up with a
motion for consideration tomorrow, you may raise these questions.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: We oppose the very introduction of
this Bill. Introduction nl^y be done tomorrow.
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Since you were kind enough to accept the
suggestion from the other side, I hope the Hon’bie Minister will also accept
this suggestion that this thing be held over because of short notice. It may
be brought tomorrow.
194 $.]
GOVERNMENT BILL.
15 !
Tht Hon’bl# ilr« MOHAMMED ALI: I am afrreeable to the a^ptaoM
of thot proposition provided the honourable the Leader of the Opmsition will
agree to the introduction, consideration and posing of the BiU tomorrow.
It will be noticed that the Control Bill will expire on the 30th September.
Mr. SPEAKER: No question of introduction. It has alreedy been
introduced.
Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: The Hon’ble Minister will realise that 1
cannot give any such undertaking until I rejid the Bill. It is on that ground
that I oppose introduction today.
Adjournment.
The House wiis then adjourned at 3-27 p.m. till 2-30 p.in. on Wdnesday,
the 18th September, 1040, at the Assembly House, Calcutta.
[18th Sbpt.,
Prpceedmgi iff the Beagel Leghlaiive A$$emUy Muembled under
f) if provisions of tho Govominont of Indm Actf 1935*
Tub Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Wednesday,
the 18th September, 1946, at 2-30 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Nitrul Amin) in the Chair, 7 Hon’ble
Min inters and 202 members.
Obituary.
Mr. SPEAKER: Ladies and ^^entleinen, it i.s my melancholy duty to
refer to tli(‘ .sad death of Dr, Hasan Suhrawardy which took place this
mornin^^ after a [)rotra(ted illness. Dr Suhrawardy was a man of out-
standing^ perMUiality. From the post ot a rural Assistant Surj?eon in the
servicj* (d the (lovern merit of ltejij»-al he rose to he the Chief Medical and
Health Otlieer, Indian State itailuay.s. and later (diief Medical Othcer
of the Fast Indian Uailwas .system h\ sheer dint of merit. He was
up])ointed in lOd-i as the ILmorary Sui^^eon to the Viceroy. He was for
some liim* Honorary Con-^ultin/^’ Sui>reon, Medical College Ho.spital.s,
Calcutta, Dt‘un of Facull^ of Medicine, and Chairman of the (ailcutta
Branch of the British Medical Associati<»n. Besides his skill in the
medical scieme ami rejmtation as a suro-fon, he W’as well known for lii.s
a<‘tivities in the fields of politics and eilucation where he held many
important [msilions. IL* was a memher of the old Benj^al Le^islativ(‘
(hiuncil from 1921 --1925 and was elected its Deputy Fresident in 1923 and
held the po.st as lon^r as Ik' wa.s a memher oi that body. He was a memher
of the Buhlic Service Commis.Mon (1937 — Ht39) and wais later appointed
Adviser to the Secretary of State tor India in 1939. He w’as a sitting
memher of the Cmitral Legislative As>emhly.
As Fresident of the Board of Stmlies Arabic and Fersian, Fresident of
the Boanl of Studies, Mediidne, 19*(dessor of Public Health and Hygiene,
Calcutta Cniversity, and as a memher ot the Senate, he took great lutere.st
in matters educational. He was Leader of the Indian Delegation of the
IJritish Empire Cniversity Congrevs in 1931. His meritorious services to
the country as an educationist were reiogniseil by his ap]»oiutment as the
Vice-Chancellor of the (^alcutta Cniversity in 1930, a post which he held
with great distinction till 1934. The (hilcutta ITiiversity conferred on
him the honorary degree of Doctor of Science and the London Cniversity
conferretl on him the honorary degree <)f Doctor t>f Laws. He was a
Commander of the Dnler of St, John and held the rank of a Lieutenant-
Colonel in the Army and was the ('oiumanding Otfiier, Second J^uttalion,
Calcutta Cniversit\ Training Corps. His meritorious career all along was
marked by a rt*cognition of his services from time to time by the confer-
ment of titles and honours. In 1927 he wu*! given the D.B.E., in 1930
Kaiser-i-Hin«l Meilul of the First (Mass and in 1932 he was created a Knight.
These honours were won by him at different stages of his life and as a
loyal >uhject he very mmdi appreciated the recognition of his services in
the shape of these honours. But when the time for action came, nothing
was too dear to him wdiicW he could not sacrifice for the sake of his
principles in life. He surrendered all these honours jil the call of the
national organisation he belonged to. His services to the country in
different capacities are so many and so varied that it is difficult to enumerate
all of them. But it must be said that as Founder-President of the
Senranbi of Humanity Society he has done great philanthropic work.
1946.]
OBITUARt.
He came of one of tlie ancient Muslim families of Bengal and was
the son of a renowned Arabic scholar, Maulana Obaidul-lahel Obaidy. He
combined in himself the best of the cultures of the East and the West.
His urbanity of manner, coolness of temperament and affectionate disposi-
tion gathere<l round him a host of friends who now mourn his loss. The
House, no doubt, will express iU sympathy to the Leader of the House,
whose loss is a personal one and to Mrs. jkramullah who was elected by
this, House as its representative in the Constituent Assembly.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is perhaps the desire of the House to convey
a message of comloleuce to the bereaved family. I shall now ask the mem-
bers to signify their assent hv rising in their seats.
(Members rose in tlieir seats.)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Seeretarv will take the necessary
action. *
As he was the Deputy President of th«‘ old ConiH’il, 1 adjourn this.
House as a mark ot ropcct to the nicniorv of the deceased till 2 p.m.
tomorrow.
Adjournment.
The Jlouse was then adjourned at 2-d*) p.m. till 2 p.m. on Thursday,
llie 19th Septemher, DMb, at the Ass(‘inhl\ ILjum*. (’alcuttu.
[19th Seft.,
Proceedinff of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled
under the provisions of the Government of India Act# 1935*
The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Thursday, the
19th September, 1946, at 2 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon'ble Mr, Xurul Amin) in the Chair, 8 Hon’ble
Ministers and 2d4 members.
Oath.
The followinfip member took the oath of allegiance: —
Mr. C. B. G. Wacle, elected by the Chittagong Division Europeans.
Motiofis of No-conffdence.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Mr Speaker, Sir, I move that
this Assembly expresses its want of confidence in the Council of Ministers.
At the outset 1 express my deepest sympathy for the poor and innocent who
had died and suffered injuries in the great carnage of Calcutta, and in the
mofussil areas in Bengal. My symiuithy goes to the members of the
l>ereaved families. I move this motion with a full sense of responsibility
and with a depth of feeling, because it had followed the five eventful days
from the Kith August to the 2tHh August, of carnage, loot and arson,
unexampled in modern Indian History. During these days, thousands had
died, many thousands had suffered injuries, inanv thousands had lost their
all, houses, goods, shops, furniture, jewellery, clothings, employments and
means of livelihood, in the presence of the police without anv protest from
them. Many had been rendered homele.s.s, many children had lost their
parents, the poor and th(‘ innocent had suffered the most.
The Council of Ministers is a limb of the Muslim I^eague Party. It has
got no separate existence. While explaining the Government nosition in
this House when on the 12th of August, I sought to move an adjournment
motion on declaring by the Government, the 16th of August as a public
holiday, Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali said, “The Chief Minister of the
Province is a dual personality. He is not only the Chief Minister of tha
Bengal Government, hut the leader of the political orjjani.sution, namely,
that of the Muslim League. He is to abide by the decision of the oigani-
Bution”. So, the whole body of Ministers are also to abide by the decision of
the Muslim League, I shall now mention to you the background previous
to that fateful day of the Kith of August. The Muslim I^eague by its lesolu-
tion on the 29th of July fixed August 16th for the observance of the “Direct
Action'* throughout India. The Committee called upon the Muslims to
observe hartal on the day, to hold public meetings and to stage other demons-
trations. Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, General Secretary of the All-India Muslim
League, in exnlaining what is meant by the “Direct Action" declared on the
7th August tnat Direct Action means resorting to non^constitutional
methods. Direct Action means any action against the law. The Hon’ble
Mr. Suhrawardy in an interview in Delhi on August 10th forecast declara-
tion of complete independence by Bengal and setting up of a parallel
Government. Khwaja Sir ITnximuddin, ex-Premier of Bengal and a member
of the Muslim League Working Committee, in an interview with the United
Press of India on the 9th of August when asked to clarifjr the implication
of Direct Action said, “There are hundred and one ways in which we can
create difficulties, specially when we are not restricted to non-violence* The
Mualim population of Bengal know very well what Direct Action would mean
1946.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
91
and we need not botlier to give them any lead'*. (At thij* stage Mr. A. E.
Faziul Iluq entered tlie House with his party amidst prolonged cheers and
cries of **Allah-o-Akbar,’* “Muslim Ijeugue Ziudabud," “Fukistan
Ziudabad’* and “8her-e-Hangala Ziudabad,“ from Government lamchee.
He took liis seal in the front Hue of the treasury benches.) In Sind, the
only other province where Muslim Is*ague ruled, Mr. Gholam Ali, Home
Minister, commenting on Muslim 1/eague‘s Hoinbny decision was quoted as
having said that the Muslim la'iigue had tle<lured holy war against the
enemies of the Muslim nation, namely, the Cojjgress. AnvlHuly opposing
them in pursuit of their olgectives will he dotroyed and exterminated.
Fir Eluhi Ilux, Iteveuue Minister, said, “About one humlred years back
the British with the help t»f the Ilindu^ wrested power from the Muslims.
We shall wreak vengeance on them and will establish Fakistan. I warn
{\m-^rvss men that it you attempt p) rule over b\ tampering with the
loyalty of some Mussalmans, your fate will he that of Satanic Germans’*.
The Ministers of the two Muslim League juovimes openly incited people to
law breaking and \i<denee, and so the point at issue is, whether I/eague
Ministry which is wedde<l to the policy of breaking the law can remain us
the custodian of tin- lives and propcities ot the ]a‘oplc. The licai^ue cannot
function both as a breaker ami prcMU vev <»} the (knistitutioii ami laiw. If it
IS the jirnilege ot a political j>ar1y to aehiexe its ohjeetive by breaking ibe
law, tin’ll it is eiiually the pri\ileg«* oi the people to demand that such a
]»arty shall not and eaimot remain as a eiistiidiam of the law\ When the
Congress askial people to break tlie law, it did not do it while in office as a
custodian oi the law. it lesigned its (dliee and then aski'd the jieoplft tt)
break the law. On tlie loth »t August, the day preceding the fateful
day, Mr. (H'orge Morgan on behall of ihe European party gave a warning
and said that they (European (iroiip) consideriMl that tlie action of didcaring
the Kith of August as a public Indiday was, to say the least of it, unwise
and it created a \ery hud jireeedent. Ifeferriiig to the slaleimmts of the
(’hi(‘f Minister and the |•'illanee Minister that the action bail been taken
for the maintenance of )»cacc and order. Mr. Moigan said that it setuned to
them (tlie European Kaity) that the artion was likely to d<‘ieat its tdiject
in that the [iiihlic, having nothing elsi* t(» do on that day, would be free to do
anything they liked and communal trouble weu’il [irohahly arise*. The Cliief
Minister must he aware of the danger of trouble arising ami holding as ho
does the portfidio ot Law and Order, he will he liard imt to it to keep the
])euee : he further said, “an atmosjehere of uncertainty ami tear had been
<*n‘ated by this action of OoveiirnuMit and that was a very dangerous atmos-
phere”. Really Mr. Morgan gave* a warning to tln' (ioverninent with a
projihetic vision.
By the utterance of the Muslim League headers and the* Ia*ague Ministem
and by declaring the KHh ot August as a puhiie* holiday for tbe ohservuiice
of the “Direct Action Day’* of the Muslim League, the f’oum il eit MinisteTS
led the Mu^iliins to believe that they have g<»t the jteiwer to enforce the obser-
vance of the jireigramme by resorting to any vieelent means— hweling, arson
and murder, if nece.ssury. For that ohjeet in vie-w* a planned arrangement
was made to observe the day. A large number of regulation /othiji of the
same size were imported from outside, lethal weapons w*ere also imported.
To cite one instance, in the hustee in Mission Row, Hindu and Muslim
cobblers lived in peace and amity. It was during the nights of some days
])reviou8 to the 10th of August, weapons, namely, lathu, spears, daggers,
etc,, were supplied to the Muslim cobbWs and in fear the Hindu cobblers
left the bustee on the 10th of August and thus saved themselves. In the
afternoon and during the night of I5th of August, many Muslim young
men came out in procession armed with UithU of the regulation size, crying
Muslim lieague war slogans. In the morning of the 16tn of August, procees-
sionistfl armed with laihit and cxymg war slogans passed through the
Mtrsanur Street and •forcibly closed the doors of the shops which were
opened. At about 8 a.ni. of the 16th of August, a Muslim League flag was
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[19th Sbpt.,
92
hoisted on the Kiiwn CoHeg® building which was subsequently removed by
the Hindus, and immediately the Muslim hooligans armed with daggers,
lathis f soda-water bottles attacked the Ripou College Hostel and the coile^.
The Secretary of the Students’ Union of the Ripon College phoned the
HoiCble Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy who told him in reply that he could not
interfere now. At Manicktola Bazar, Hindu shops were looted by the
Muslim hooligans early in the morning of the IGth of August in* the presence
of the police. Very close to the crossing of the Harrison Road And College
Street “Luxmi Stores”, a big (;loth shop, was looted by the Muslim hooligans
in the presence of the police. The sergeants and the police participated in
the loot. In the College Street Corporation' market "Dalia”, a very big
shop, and some other big shoe shops were looted in the presence of the
police. The owner of “Radii Stores” who is a Muhammadan on the other side
of the road used fire-guns in dispersing the Hindu crowd who gathered to
prevent the loot of “Dalia” and other shops in the presence of the armed
police and the sergeants. I personally saw the looting, arson and murder
committed in the presence of armed police, but the police did not interfere.
On the afternoon of the Kith August, wdiile a building was attacked by a
mob with deadly weapons, I phoned the Police (Joinmissioner to send armed
police force; otherwise dire conseciuenccs would tollow but without any etfect.
From all quarters ol the city the looting of the Iliiulu shoj»s began either in
the morning, and ia the noon of the 16th August the police at Lai Bazar, the
Hou’bh' Miuisler, Mr. H. S. Suhrawanly and the Private SiMrctarv to the
(lovernor of Ihuigal wore piioncd for police Kv(*rvwhcre tlie appeals
from tile helpless p(‘ople produced no results. 'Die fidlowing outstanding
facts are admitted on all hands: —
(a) In spite of jirotcst hy tin* Hindu public the Kith of August was
declared as public holiday.
(h) From th(‘ early hours of the Kith of August the Muslim proce*>-
sionists came out with /ofA/'t and daggers and other deadly
weapons and asked the bu.sine.ssiuen to clu.^i* iheir shops; on
refusal they wtue cruelly assuulted and slio])s were looted. And
even the closed shops were looti'd, \iz.. “l).ilia'‘ and (»ther shojis.
(c) In the early hours of the Kith of August, there was not even an
ordinary jiolice guard on the street, not e\eu traflic jolice.
Ordinarily tin* ]Kdicc aie jM»sted at tlie time ot the Mohurruiii
and otluM' |»ro(‘es.sion8. Ordinary ])reventive step-^ even were not
tuk(*n hy the (ii>vcrnment.
(il) Ihdice help \ius sought by the people hut no help was rendered.
When jMditeinen were available tliQ^v ])leaded iicljikssiiess in
the situation having had no order to do an\ tiling.
(e) The oflicers in charge of the police stations when informed of the
disturbances did not render any help hut rather pleaded their
iuul)ility and asked the people to protect themselves.
(f) Muslim goondovS and hooligans used the lorries to carry the weapons
even in the meeting presided over by the Hoii*ble the Chief
Minister. Large number of and other weatKins were
Uirricd to the meeting by the loni«‘> and sufficient quantity of
petnd were used hy the Muslini goondas in setting hre to the
louses.
{ff) The normal practice of sending foot and mounted jwlice to accom-
pany procession was not ohservt^d.
(A) From an account of the Brigadier S. I). C. Sixsmith, officiating
Commander of Bengiil and Assam area, that at 12-30 a.m. on
August IT, he was informed by telephone that the jiolice con-
sidered that they could no longer control the situation without
military assistance and military was posted late in the afternoon
of the 17th August. And for two days the city of Calcutta was
im.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENOK.
0 $
thrown opn to the hooli^n^ and of the city. It it
remarkable to note here tliat during the whole of the IGth of
August the police bad not tired a single rtuiiid though in their
presence the looting, arson and murder went on M*ith all the
furies.
We were' wondering all these times if we were living under any
Government. We felt that the Government of the day desired that the
goonda raj should be established to alow the gtHindus and hooligans to
murder with- all sorts of deadly weapons including tire wcaiwns, and to loot
and commit arson. These jKTOunt.*^ arc not accouiit.s of iulerestod persons.
Such accounts were published in the Mu.slim paper “Ar.ad’*. 1 do not know
what the attitude of the European party uow will he regarding the no-
confidcuce motion hut their mouthpiece the “Statesman” in its editorial
column of the 20th of Aug\ist described the I’aleuttu scene in the folowing
terms : —
“When we wrote two days ago the eondition in ('ulcutta were horrifying:
they have passed beyond that since. They wert‘ toleruhh' tlien in com-
parison with what was subseiiueiitly seen ”
This is not a riot, it needs a word found in nmdievul history, a fury,
yet “fury” sounds spontaneous, hut there must have hi'en a deIil>eration and
organisation to set this iury «»n the ^\uy. The hordes >\ho laii about battering
and killing with 8 ieel hiflus may have found them lying about or brought
them (Hit of their own pockets but that bard to belicvt*. W(‘ huv(> already
eommcnted on the bauds \vlu» found it easy t(» get pidi’ols and vehicl«‘S
when no others were permitted on the str«‘c|s, It is not mere supjwsition
that men were imported into Calcutta in making an impression.
“Statesman” by its leading articles of the few days folbiwing the Great
Killing of (.'alcutta has madt* it (dear that tins (’oiincil of Ministers whieh
is responsible for maintenance of law and order have failed in it <4 primary
duty of protecting the lives and propt'rlies oi tlie ja'ople.
The “Statesman” .stated, “the present Muslim Eeague Miuistry'H
primary responsibility tor the liloody slmmldes to which the (-apital of the
J’rovince has been reduced is inescapahb*,” It is impossible to (‘numerate
the innumerable instances in which the (fovernment failed to protect the
lives and properties of the p(*ofde, living under their cure. For the lust
one month they have appeared in their naked brutality in all pajmrs ol all
shades of ojiinion. For the purjiose of this motion it is also not to the
point whether it was the Muslims or Hindus who were aggressors, (diapters
ran he written that the Muslims were aggressive and Tooting, arson and
murders were eomiuitt(‘d by them first and the Ifindus suhse([U(*ntly
retaliated. The doubtful farts that are meiition(*d in the papers supporting
the Miwlini lieague that on the Kith of August of thii numlMTs of the injured
and dead persons admitted in the liosfutals the Muslims were larger tfian
Hindus, do not and cannot give the true picture. The Muslims had under
their control the lorries and buses to (!arry the wouneb^d persons hut tlie
Hindus had not and the number of the dead persons lying (ui tin* streets
were not considered and all the h^wpitals were not mentioned. The main
issue arising in this motion is not if the Muslims or Hindus wen* aggressive
but it i.s if the Government have failed in its primary duty of maintenance
of law and order and of protecting the live.s and properties of the people.
H^re it cannot but be admittted on all hands that the Governrri(»nt has failed
in its prim&ry duty and the f’oiincil of 5finisters are responsible for all the
murders, loot and axs<jn and slnmld be tried in an open and impartial court.
It is childittb for the Minister to say that the polir^e had failed in their
duties and had been responsible for loot and murders and the Council of
Ministers cannot be jicld responsible for that. The Police who were res-
ponsible for such a carnage unexampled iu the Indian History are still
there and are busy in making discruninaioiy arrests between the Hindus
u
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[19th Sbpt.,
and Muslims. They are allowed to function. The Ministers should have
suspended the Police Commissioner and moved for his dismissal. If they
faimd to do so, they should have resigned. Otherwise the Council of
Ministers cannot escape responsibility.
I sliiil] now turn to what bad happened in Eastern Bengal and to what
had been happening there and bow the Council of Ministers is responsible
for those incidents. The conditions in Eastern Bengal are such that the
Hindus there are living in a state of insecurity and their lives have become
intolerable. The Ministers and Muslim licague leaders by their indiscreet
utterances and by their conduct have led the j)erinanent Muslim ofiicers to
l>elieve that they are Muslim ivt^aguers first and consequently the perfor-
mama's of their duties are influenced by communalism. This is a new form
of c(»rruption which has viliated the whob* servic'e and according to the
plan all the key positions in the mutassil arc held by the Muslim officers. On
the lOOi of August at Ciiandpur the Muslim processionists hoisted
the Muslim lieague flag on the (avil Court Building, looted the
Hindu shops on both sides of the Dakutia khal, set fire to
Hindu houses, assaulted the Hindus. 8toi>ped tlie trains, forced the
passeng(‘rs out, assaulted the two i-oiistables, snatched away the two under-
trial j)risonerH under guard, almost in the i)resence of the Subdivisional
Officer and without any protest.
(At tliis stage the red light was lit.)
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr Dattu, your tiiue is over.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Please allow me five minutes
more.
Mr. SPEAKER: I thought that at least the Deputy Leader of the
Congre.s.s Jhirty will abide by his own decision .
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA; It has been decided that other
speaker will not take much time.
Mr. SPEAKER: As a special case I allow you time.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: No attempt was made by the
police or hy tlie Subdivisional Officer to protect tlie lives and properties
of the Hindu jmpulation. Subseiiuenlly the disturbances had spread
into the rural areas and Hindu sho]>s of Faridgunge Bazar in Chandpur
subdivision an<l of Salimgunge Bazar in Bruhiminbaria subdivision were
looted. Ill Banoharnmpur police-station in Brahmanbaria subdivision
many houses of the Kaibartas anti one Mahim Chandra Ghose had been
burnt. The persons affected ai*e l,2O0 and only 25 persons have been
arrested and already tbe “Azad”, the Muslim League paper, had written
that the police oppression had begun at Bancharanipur. Any false and
inaccurate news are allowed to be published in that paper.
Train dacoities and robberies attended with murders are common
ojourrences in the Bengal-Assain Bailway between Kishoreganj in
Mymensingh district and Akhaura in Tippera district. ^ One such
occurrence had happened on the “Jd” day. The properties of one
Satyendra Nath Biswas who was travelling in the inter-elAss compart-
ment were robbed by fifteen Muslim young men who boarded the compart-
ment at Brahmanbaria station. While those goondas got down near
Ashttganj, they snatched- away the pregnant wife of Satyendra Nath
Biavaa and the dead body of his wife was found floating in the water
near Ashuganj. The Su^bdivisional Officer of Brahman haria arrested
some of the goondas in the possession of whom looted articles were found.
This has invoked an editorial comment in “Aiad”: ^RN
1946.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
98
Sucb comments speak for themselves. It speaks volumes how the
goondas styling themselves as Muslim I^Miguers can with impunity run
havoc amongst the jpoor untl innocent people. The complaint is that
the Suhdivisional Officer of Kishoreganj releases these goondas on bails
even when they are accused of heinous non-hailable offences, viis,,
robbery and murders. He releases (hem because they are the supnortors
of the Muslim Ijt»ague and with their help the Pakistan will be estanlisbed,
I cannot but refer to a recent incident of this nature. In the
district of Mymensingli one goods train was stopped and looted by 200
goondas armed with ileadly weapons near Itegunhari railway station on
Pengal-Assum Railway on the night the llth September. One Raja
Ali was arrested hy the police and he made a confession before the
Magistrate imidicuting 00 other persf)ns. hut on the next day he was
advised to retract his confession ;iml he ili<l it and he was released by the
Magistrate.
Th« Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY; Sir, may 1 make earnest
request. I do want to follow what the honouruhle member is reading.
Will he kindly read a little bit slowly P
Mr. OHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Very well Such action on the
part of the Magistrate is tantamount to micouraging such offence.
Magistrates do such things with impunity and under certain plan, vi*.,
the establishiiKMit of i^ikistan with goondas.
Mr. MD. KHUDA BUKH8H: On a point of order, Sir. Are these
incidents (jiiite pertinent to the present motion P
Mr. 8PEAKER: Yes, the motion is a general one.
Mr. OHIRENDRA NATH DATTA; Oovernment though informed
do not take any steps against such Magistral(*s. Troubles in Jumaljiur
in tlie MyiiKMisiiigii district are more serious. At Isluinpore Hindu shops
had been looted, a jute godown haf» been gutted and a Hindu merchant
had b(*en killed and thrown into the tire. In many other villages
Hindu houses liad been looted. Hindu shop-ke(‘pers are b(*ing prevented
from Mtiing in Z/o/.v and boyiott is being openly pitaiebed. The
Subdivisioiia) Officer, .lamalpur, lias been tlireatmiing ili(‘ Hindus to
behave properly, otLei'aise he will not be able to save the Hindus from
Muslim aggression. His speeclo'S and threats to lespiiiisihle Hindu
leaders for their alleged offence fif eoinmunieating iiiforiniition about
troubles to the District Magistrate have encouraged the Muslims to he
aggressive. The Magi.strati* of the district of Chittageng has surpassed
all. He has issued a statement referring to the 10^1 August incident
warning the Hindu public not tO provoke the Muslims. If thev do, they
will not avoid total destruetifwi. He has not got any responsibility for
giving protection to the minority cemmunity us the Muslims are
determined to shed (htdr bbaul for arliieviiig Pakistan. Such a statement
befits Muslim League leaders an they all tlirisiten the destruction of
the minority community in the Muslim majority province. On the 17th
August, the meeting of Ram Munohar l 4 ohia was dispersed by the Muslims
w^ith the help of the District Magistrate as alleged by the Socialist [reader
in hi.s statament. In Noakhali, (here baYe been rnttrders of persons in the
rural areas ^nd looting of shops.
Dacca is a plague-spot the province. The disturbances there had
begun on the 20th of August and had continued up till this day. There
have been stabbing, looting of .shops and arson. The incidents there
will be narrated by my friend Mr. Oanendra t'handra Hhaltacharya.
Dacca is a place wher^ Ihe business Bad come to a standstill just as
^in Calcutta and the people cannot live there. in a state of security. The
* Government iuive failed in their primary duty in maintaining law and
order by lb© oiliijisioita and commi 0 sttma of^tKeir officers.
7
M MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [19th Sm.,
Mr. IPEAKEBJ Tour attention ia again drawn to the red light. The
nd light ia on.
Mr. OHIRENORA NATH OATTA: One minute more, Sir. It may
)e contended by the Council of Ministers that they are not responsible for
he acts of their officers. 1 must tell before I take my seat that even
egally they are responsible. Moreover the officers concerned are certainly
icling on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
It is reiiiarkahle to note here that in Western Bengal where Hindus
ire in majority, no reports of any oppres.sion from rural areas by the
lindiis upon the Muslinis have reached u>. This shows which wtiy the
rind blows.
Firstly, this Ministry cannot remain as the custodian of law as they
heinselves are lireakers of law and ask people to break the law.
Secondly, admittedly the incidents of the city of Calcutta and the
lappentng in Kastern Bengal are due to the failure of the police and the
Executive Officers to do their ])riinary duties of maintaining law and
rder and protecting the lives and propeities of the people under their
are and tlie Council of Ministers cannot escape responsibility and they
herefore stand condemned.
Sir, with these words. I commend my motion for the acceptance of
he House.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir. 1 heg to move that this House
ixpresses its want of confidence in the Cliief Minister, the Hon’ble
dr. H. S. Suhrawunly, who is also the Minister in charge of Law and
)rder. In moving this motion, Sir, I am (‘onscioiis of a sense of heavy
esponsihility. I am aware that tension atid juinic, j>arti«ularly in the
rioi'ussil, is still very great. Stray incidents, both in Calcutta and
tiofussil are still being reportt*<l. In a situation which is yet explosive,
do fully realise the necessity of utmost r(‘straiiit ot saying or doing
lOthing which may exaciuhate communal feelings or sow fresh seeds
if discord and disharmony. If tlie jiarty to which I have the honour to
lelong considereil it ifecessary to bring in this motion it was because
ftt*r mo.st careful and arduous eonsiderutioii it could not help arriving
t this inescapable conclusion that public confidence cannot be fully
evived nor peace, order and tranquillity assureil, if law and order
iontinues to he the charge of a Minister under whose regime the
idminislratioii for law and order (^ther hroki' down or was rendered
nnocuous for four fateful days during which Calcutta w^a* handed over
o hnvless elements to indulge in orgies of rapine, arson and murder
May 1 also say, Sir, tliat it pains me to have to move this motion.
k new* member to this House, I am not ashamed to confess that I was
nuch impressed by the colourful personality of the Chief Minister.
Ihe large-hearted and courageous manner «.in which he had handled two
ncidents — one connected with the demonstration for the release of
jolitical prisoners and the other with the arrest of a member of this
B[()use— had evoked my admiration. To have therefore to move this
notion painful to me but I reali§e it is a necessary public dttty.
Sir, a cold, matter of fact narration of events without embellishments
>r much comment will suffice to prove beyond cavil the utter an<i the
most reprehensible failure Wn the part of the Chief Minister to diseharge
liis elementary duties as The Minister responsible for the mamtenance
^f law and order. I shall sort ou| the facts and tha ooncluaions that
emerge therefrom into thre« secticms. I shall first briefly describe certain
tacts up to and inclusive of the l5th Au^st. In the second
place 1 shall refer to the four cataslrophio days which witnessed a more
or less complete paralysis of law and order. In the third place I shall
MOTIONS OF NOOONFIDENCE.
97
1946.]
examine the aftermath of Calcutta's terrible ordeal and show that, oven
apart from his sins of omission and commission in the interest of the
future political and economic well-being of the province itself, the Chief
Minister must vacate his high office.
In reference to facts during the first period, 1 do not intend to take
\ou. Sir, beyond the period when the Council of the All-India Muslim
League met at Bombav and passed l\vi» resolutions wliich, 1 am sure,
future historians will hold us most jH*ruieif>us and short-sighted. One
of these rejected the (abinet Delegation s hotli long-term and short-term
proposals and the other deci<led to resort to «lirec( action in order to
attain IhikiNtan. Since that meeting the rumblings of the Muslim
League v<ilcauo in the sliape of statements from responsihie leaders
mounted in an ascending crescendo until it finally erupted in Calcutta
with violent consequences.
On August, ‘,?nd, Maulaua Akrum Khan raised the battle cry in Bengal.
'‘The struggle for rakistaii,” he announced, “has begun. Our resolution
of Direct Action will soon be (ran.slated into action.” On the
Ibth Khwaja Nazimuddin made a statement to which Mr. Ihitia has
already referred. And did not. Sir, as events have so clearly
demonstrated, the Muslim population know very well what Direct Action
was intended to mean y On the same day, that is the lOth, Mr. Oazdar
in Karachi left us in no doubt of the intention of the Muslim League
to paralv.se India's administration and hinted that the fight would
very likeL' deveb )p into a civil war. A civil war, Sir, did not smite us
like a bolt from tlie blue, but apjiears to have Ix'en carefully and
sedulously prejmred for (A voh'k fhom tiik tiovKitNMKNT lliCNt iiKs : By
you.) That only you will find out for yourself later on when the
KiKjuiry (Ommishion en([Uin‘H into the whole thing. On the 11th, in
an intervie^^ granted to the Associated Pre.ss of AiiieruMi, (iiir Chief
Minister stated that it the Congress were to he put into ]>ower, a jirobable
i(‘.sult would be “the declaration of comphdi^ indcpcmhuico by Bengal
and the setting up of a parallel (lovcriimciit.” The Chief Minister known
the coiistitutioniil position too well to make , smdi foolish stato-
ments w*ith no purpo.se. I leave it to honouiahle incunhers of (his House
to draw’ their own eoueluHioa.s about the intenlions of I lie (diief
Minister in making such statements as also their inevitable effects on
the already e.xcited Muslim ninsse.s wdio are comiiletely ignorant of
constitutional position and procedure. To crown all, Mr. Omnun,
Secretary of the ('aleutta District Muslim liougue, widely cinoiiatod
among Muslim's a Urdu pamphlet which, in sjiite of his protestatioiia to
the contrary, I maintain directly incited them to open violeiKx*. But
1 will not read it out, although I have the text here. J am also told, Sir,
on a reliable authority that oral instructioms ww issued that Muslima
should come out in big processions of the Kith, with InthU, morfht
daggers and other weapons. (A voick: Funny.) Such inflammatory
statements and instructions issued by Tcsponsibie League leaders clearly
indicate that serious trouble was to be apprehended on August Kith.
I may also mention here the observation which a member of the League
Working Committee i« reported to have made to a foreign (‘orronnondent
some days before August IGth. The Muslim Iveaguer said, ^‘if you
want to see real fire-works, go to Calcutta”. Taxing the cue, this
corrspondent did eome to Calcutta. And did not he, Sir, see some fire-
works? Even the Chief Minister acknowledged in the Bengal
Council that a public holiday had been declared on August 16th, “for
the purpose of minimising the risks of conflicts and in the interests of
peace and order”* I would particularly request Sir, to note the
words "minimising the risks of conflicts”, the implication being that
«ven the Chief Minister expected conflicts and could only hope that they
would ^not be too seHous or widespread. 1 must acknowledge hm
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[19th Sept.,
that unlike most of the Muslim League leaders, Mr. Ahul Hashim,
Secretary of the Provincial Muslim League, who is also a member of
this House, had issued a rather sober statement just before August, 16tb,
emphasizing that their struggle was against British Imperialism alone.
Uniortunatcdy Jiis appeal had no effect whatsoever on his compatriots.
In a situation whicli was certainly moat explosive I believe, Sir, it
W'ould strike you us it does me that the first and foremost duty of the
Minister in <;harge of Law and Order, unless he had other intentions,
should have been to make arrangements in advance for the provision
of udecjuate police jirecaiitionary measures, particularly in threatened
zones and also of sufficient police guards to accompany the processionists
on the Ifith. A prudent and a little farsighted Minister should
also have prohibited the currying of any weajions by the processionists.
That no such measures were at all adopted is a mystery which baffles
me, except on the liypothesis, as suggested by Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose,
that the Muslim League was “spoiling for a fight”. 1 am afraid, Sir,
the Chief Minister cannot shirk responsibility as he has sought to do,
by iiiuking the Commissioner of Police, tlie scapegoat. It is quite
h'gitimute to ask what precautionary measures the Police Commissioner
liad adopted for August Kith. But the t'hief Minister himself cannot
escape lesponsihility, particularly as he knew that serious trouble was
brewing. As Minister in charge of l^iaw' and Order he has a special duty,
and J maintain that the situation prior to Augiist IGth, was sufficiently
threatening to demand his special attention with a view to satisfying
himself that adeciuate measures were taken to prevent an\ disturbance of
public peace <tn that day. No amount of casuistry, bluff’ or strong or
abusive language will alter this basic fact,
Befor(‘ I ])roce(*d to the second chapter of my grim story, there is
one mutter to which 1 should like to make a ])assing reference, although
I consider it very imj>ortant. I triist tin* Chief Minister himself
realises the extreme incongruity of the position he occupies in the public
of the country, and particularly in Bengal. As head of the
(lovernment, his first and foremost duty is to maintain Law and Onler
and lake tin* most drastic measures against activities which, directly
or indireetl\ , ma\ seriousl\ <‘inbinger puldic ]>eaoe and t rainjuillity .
As a leader Of tlie Muslim licague, he has at the same time to urge and
inciU* Ins ftilbnveis to «lo things which can only result in breaches of
law and <listurhunce of neaee. The Chief Minister’s allegiance to his
pait\ has untortunatelv always proved stronger r(*gardless of conse(iupnces,
limn his allegiance to his office. Tii truth, he has been playing
the rob* <»f a Dr. rL'kyll and Mr. Tl^de. 1 do not know if he thinks that
he lias special aptitmles for this rob*, but all that I can say is tliat any
deci'iit and lionourable gentleman would have found such a position as
dishonest as it is loathsome,
August Ihth, which climaxes the events up to the lotli and opens the
second imriod of appalling carnage and loss, will, I am sure, he recorded
by future histiuians as ushering in a most infamous chapter in our
political history, which, I only hope and pray, may he a very brief one.
The happenings on that and the few subsequent da\s will long haunt
and tonnent our memories as an evil nightmare, 1 was a witness to
some of those ahameless and ghastly incidents. In the forenoon of the
16th from an office not far from the (’’alcutta Corporation and within
almost a stoms’s throw kom a police-station. 1 saw shops being looted.
During those days, when Calcutta was under the rule of sword, lathi
and fire, to borrow an expression of “Capital,” I had toured practically
ill over the city as a member of a mixed private rescue party,
which evacuated both Hindus and Muslims to places of safety, and bad
ample opportunities of seeing for myself the appalling destruction
wrought m respect of life and property. I do not intend nor do I
me.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
9i
consider it necessary* to recount incidents of atrocities and brutalities
For one thing* no wortls at my command are lurid enough to adequately]
describe them. For another* tlie harrowing tales of these atrocities havt
already been elaborately described.
On the question. Sir, of ('ulcuttu being subject to a reign of terroi
during August l(Uh-19th, as result^ of a breakdown of the inacbiuer)
of law and order winch is tlie direct responsibility of the Chief Minister,
there is no dispute between the coiniiiunities. Anarchy fell as trugioall)
upon Mo>leuis as upon Hindus, and pre<h>miuantly upon the inmxjeui
amongst them. Hoth Hindus and Moslems have ' therefore a right tc
demand an expluuation ot the strange breakdown of tlie machinery oi
law and order and the criminally neghgeiit oomluct of the polite during
these fateful tlays. 1 wtuild like to ask the t hief Minister the following
questions to which every citizen has a right ti» idituiii from him eutegorica]
answers : —
In tlie first jilace, in view of the overwhelming evidence that serious
♦ onfticts and breaches of the law were to he apprcheiidetl on August Kith,
has the Chief Minister ascertained why tin* Coimuissioner of Polit‘e took
no actitin under section of the tyulcutta Police Act, uhiab empow’erfi
the Oimmissioner of Puli(‘e to institute measures for ensuring the orderly
conduct of processions with a view' to seeming publit* safety aiul coiiveuieueei'
ACill be also explain what the emergency scheme is. to which lie had made
a reference el. sew he re?
In the second [ilace, in view' of the outbreak of looting, arson and murder
from the early morning of August Kith, will the Chief Minister explain
his conduct in not coily presiding over the mass rally (d Musliins fixed for
the atteruooii on that day, hut, what is worse, in further inflaming the
jiassioiis <d an already excited crowd, many amongst whom had already
committed serious breaches (d the law?
In the thiid place, it was the exfierience of everybody, irrespectivi* of
creed or commmiity. particularly on the Kith that police assistanci* and
protection to law-abiding citizens was completely dmiied or ndused. Not
only that, but what is much worse, the pidice in certain cases actually parti-
cipated in arson and looting. Assaults, murders and looting took place
under the very eyes of the police without any intervention on tlndr part.
These are cognisable offenc'es and I understand the police arc criminully
liable for not taking notice of them. I have it on unimpeachbah* authority
that the fiolice, including high officials, when iijipealed to for help, had
replied that they hud no orders. Such a plea is untenalile. since the
offences are cognisable. If the police remained inac tive, thc*y must presum-
ably have had definite instructions not fc» intervene, 'riiis is a \«Ty serious
matter. From the Chief Minister'.s statement elsew’here, it would jappear
that such instructions, if any, were given by the Police C/onitn ism oner,
will the (diief Minister ascertain from the officer eoncerned the reasom* for
the issue of such orders, and also state whether he had not considerwl it
necessary in the disr’harge of his public* duties as Horne Ministc^r to iiiferveiia
even in this matter?
I*^ fourth plaee, in a press conference held on August 2'frd, Krigadier
Sixsmith stated tbat even on Friday afternoon, the Pcdice contingent was
^<^^*J^iKed. Sir, much has been said, and I am sure more w’ill be
said by honourable memlrers opposite about the inadecpiacv of the Calcutta
Police Force. I am prepared to concede that some strengthening of this
force is necessary But what is relevant in the context of the recent
Calcuto tragedy is that even such fKilice force as the Government hud at
their aisposal was not deployed either ade<|uately or in proper time and
place. If this had been done, particularly as the military were always
available,*! am sure* Calcutta would never have passe^l through such a
reign of terror and much valuable life and property w'ould have be%n saved.
100
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[1^ Skpt.,
Will the Chief Minister explain why the police force was not fully com-
mitted in proper time and in the threatened zones, which, as Brigadiar
Sixsniith stated, lay between Sealdah and Howrah?
In the fifth place, as an explanation of the delay in obtaining military
aid, the Chief Minister has stated elsewhere that the military was not pre-
pared to come out in the beginning, while Brigadier Sixsmith asserted that
it was only midnight of the 16th that he as the Commander of the area was
summoned and told that the police was unable to control the situation
without military assistance. Will the Chief Minister explain the discre-
pancy in the two versions?
In the sixth place, the Chief Minister, on his own admission, had spent
long hours in tin* Control Room at Lai Bazar, but adds that he was merely
watching the situation and did not interfere in any way with the Police
Commissioner’s activities. If that is so, will he explain why at all he spent
long hours in ihe Control Room, and also whether, in view of his personal
knowledge of the developing situation, he did not consider it his public
duty to issue instructions to the Commissioner of Police for the maintenance
of law and order?
In the seventh placse, the Chief Minister had stated elsew'here that the
police had tried their utmost to quell the disturbances. Will be then
explain how is it that the j>olice force in Calcutta emerged from such a
.sanguinary conflict practically without a sera till, while in Bombay many
p(dice personnel, including even the Police Commissioner, were seriously
injured?
Tn the eighth place, although I consider it most nngallant of the Chief
Minister to shift the entire tesponsibility lor the disturbances to a subor-
dinate officer, the Commissioner of Police, will the Chief Minister explain
why this officer has not yet been suspended or dismis.sed or what disciplinary
measures he jiroposes to take against him for liis utter incompetence and
culpable dereliction of duty?
In tlie ninth place, since the Chief Minister holds the policy of tlio
Cabinet Delegation and the British (lovernment primarily responsible for
these communal disturbances, will he say whether, in his opinion, the people
of Bengal should reeoneiJe thein.selves to frequent visitations of the di moii
of communal conflagration until such time as either the British Govern-
ment will surrender to the League or reason or good sen.se will dawn upon
it- — (T hk TIon’hi.k Mr. SiuMSuiunN Ahmad: The British Government
hate already surrendered to ihe Congre8.s. Ton should know about that.)
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Ohose, your time is up.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: I was under the impresMon that I was
given half an hour to speak.
Mr# SPEAKER: Yes, that was the arrangement made with the different
Leaders of the Parties, but some of your time has Wn taken up by the
Deputy licader of the Congress Parliamentary Party.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir, may I have a few minutes more?
Mr. SPEAKER: You may speak for two minutes more.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir, I cannot finish in two minutes. I
may please be given five minutes so that
Mr. SPEAKER: No. You may speak for two minutes only.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR -CHOSE: If I have to speak only far two minutes
I will My this ; that not only in view of what had happen^ but also in the
economic interest of the province, it is extremely necessary that the Chief
Minister must reeipi his pflSce. Because if Mr Suhrawardy eoatiaiiea in
his present office the prosj^t that the economio life of the profiUm may
be completely dislocated will become a certainty. The mfj 1^
im,]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFEDENCE. >
10 ]
asked that if Mr. Suhrawardy has lost the confidence of the Housa^ what i
the alternative f I would say, Sir, that the best alternative is a Govern
ment of the major parties. If that is not a oractical proposition, it ma^
be asked what nood or pn>fit will result by merely replacing Mr, Suhraward;
by somebody elseJ^ I should say. Sir, much gtK)d and profit. For, it wil
demonstrate that a Minister, and a Minister in charge of law and order a
that, who fails grievously in the discharge of his eleiiieutary duty of pn)
tecting the life and proi)erty of the common citisen cannot continue witl
impunity in his office but must pay the inevitable peunity. Such politico
punishment will have a reassuring effect on badly shaken public confidence
Sir, I can do no better than conclude my indict incut of llie (Jhie
Minister by ijiiotiiig an observation of (’roinwcll to the Long Parliament
which a British statesman — who is a great fricml of the party to which th<
Chief Minister belongs -1 mean Mr. Leopohl Aincrv. applied to Mr. Nevill
(,'haml)erlain, in course of a deluite in Parliament, which ultimately n*sulte<
in Mr. Chamberlain’s rcjdacement by Mr. Churchill. This is what Crom
well had said, and 1 would now su\ to the Chief Minister: “You hav
sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and le
us have done with you. In the mime of (lod. go.'’
Mr. ABUL HA8HIM: Mr. Speaker, Sir, today I have decided not U
enter into any ui rimonitms discussion or to make any attempt to apportioi
blame between the Hindus and the Muslims of Bengal having regard to whu
repercussion and reaction it may produce in future. I wonder if tin
motion of no-con fide nee tabled against the present Ministry should reall;;
be a motion against the present Ministry or against the (Government o
India Act of Iffdo and its authors and their allies. I have no doubt, as ]
have full confidence in the intelligence and jmwer of understanding of oui
friends on the Congress benches, that if they could rise above their owi
peculiar interest and <‘ould sec things ohjeetivtdy and make an analysis o:
the grievances of the Muslims in a dispassionate attitud(», they woulrf have
instead of bringing a motion of no-confidence against this Ministry, parti
cularly ugainut the Home Minister and the (’’hief Minister, the Hon’hh
Mr. Suhruw'ardy, brought a motion of confidence in him. It is a thousnne
pitv — because I have always, in spite of my difference with other partial
and organisations of my eountry. maintained some respect ami regard foi
my opponents — today when I hear from the Congress benches one of oui
friends charging Mr. Suhrawardy for making the Commissiouer of Polici
a scapegoat; I feel a thousand pity because in tlie ordinary course o:
business one could never expe<'t the members of the Congress representing
a great organisation which during recent years held aloft the torch of revolu
tion and independence in India to say things like this and plead in defenei
of the bureaucratic machinery of the Government. Let me disabuse myseP
of my affiliation to the partv I have the honour of belonging to, bt!t as at
honest and sincere man tnay I tell you, 8ir, from what I feet at heart tbn1
it is my conviction that what has happened did happen not due t<
Mi*. Suhrawardy or his Ministry but in spite of them. T^et me in my owi
way place before vou the causes that, I think and feel, led to this horribh
bloody carnage. Sir, in my humble opinion there eiannot be a greater foo!
crawling upon the surface of the earth wdio can for a moment say that Rii
Stafford Cripps and his colleagues — may say the world’s greatest diplomat!
representing the nation which has been Seating all other nations foi
centuries in diplomacy— -came to India to settle the ITindu-Muslim questior
for the good of India. After the Repoy Mutiny the British sway in Indie
was consolidated and British Imperialism got the control over Indian
business and Indian administration. Thereafter they were busy doinfl
politics elsewhere in the Middle East and Europe. But now when we,
Indians, are making serious efforts to achieve indeoendence, when we aw
proceeding towa^s our goal, the time has come when England should dc
some politics here aiso. Ho Sir Stafford Cripps and his cxilleaguos came
to India for doing politics and they have succeeded in their miision. It is
to our utter shame that they have again succeeded and I lay stress on it so
as to have the courage to be conscious of our own limitations. Sir, these
diplomats came to India to deal with politics. While here in India the
Hindus and Muslims were quarrelling with each other, the great leaders
of the Congress and the League alike were squarely beaten by Sir Stafford
Cripps and his colleagues by tlieir superior political intellect. Let this be
admitted first, realised first, and then there will be no difficulty whatsoever
in finding out who was responsible for this great killing, where the remedy
lies and then do our work. We should never forget that British possessions
in India are coloured red. The red colour on the map of India faded by
our struggle of the last forty years. Now they want to have a fresh coating
of red by the blood of the Hindus and Muslims alike.' Tlie Calcutta carnage
is a beginning, and unless we take a warning it will take place and the
blood of Indians will put a fresh coating on the red colour of the map of
India for another one hundred and fifty years or more. Ilis Excellency
Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India — if he really meant peace and tran-
quillity, unity and harmony among the people of India — unity between the
Congress and the Muslim League, if he hud taken a firm stand that lie would
not give power to any party unless and until the Congress and the League
came to an agreement, an agreement would have been possible long ago.
The (.’ongresH says that we are demanding communal favour and that the
Hindu-Muslitn disunity is something artificial (‘rented by the third power.
It is a pity — a thousand pity — that today it has forgotten the third power
and the reason for what is happening betw(>eii the Hindus and the Muslims
today. Instead of working for peace and amity, the Vi(‘eroy by his words
and gestures attempted to create an impression in the minds of the Muslims
and Hindus that one party will be bye-])as.sed by another and it is as a
direct result of that that the Calcutta disturbances followed. This has
created an idea in the minds of the Muslims that they have been delivered
to the Hindus and an impression has been (reated in the minds of the
Hindus that they have got what they wanted.
* It lemiuds me of that mighty personality of Bengal, Sir Surendfa Nath
Baiierjea, that great patriot who was in fact the jiioneer of freedom move-
ment in India. He also in spite of bis talents, intelligence, experience and
suffering, at the fug end of his life thought he got ivhat he wanted after lffl9.
So I think also that oqr revered Congress leaders, whose sacrifices and suffer-
ings will go down to history and for thoSe sufferings the whole of India
shall ever remain |,fratefuVh> them, at the fag end of their life, after having
strenuous struggles for over 25 or 30 years, have now felt, as Sir Surendra
Nath Bauerjea had felt in Bengal, that they got what' they wanted in the
Interim (iovernineut. That is why when the Bombay Besolution of the
Muslim lieague was adopted, Snrdar Patel from that end of India declared
that the direct action of the Muslim League was not against Ihe British but
was aij^ainst the Congress and the Hindus. They aoclazed that British
Imnenalism was no more, that Great Britain ^d abdicated and Pandit
Nehru, Sardar Patel and others were in possession of" India; they were at
the head tf a sovereign state. This impression Pandit Nehru and others
had created in the mw of everybody.
Spw, Sir, I knoar that Hia Excellency the Viceroy has no'* control over
the amtements .and utterances of big l^ders of India, out, Sir, when Pandit
Nehru and ^rdar Patel made "^uiterances creating thm false impression in
the minds of the peopka of India that BriUsh Im^rialiam had abdicated ,
which is far from truth# ^he Viceroy should not have sat jpilent over the
whole kffairs. His conspicuous silence over the statements for w^ks led to
the belief that really what Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel had said had the
sanction of British Impeiialisiii behind it. We should alro not forget that
some tiihe after the Bombay Resolution was adopted, His Excellency the
Viceroy sumponed a meeting Of Governors of the provim^^. It was not,
I ^lievei merely for the fun of it. That has also a pcditical background.
1946.> MOTIONS OF NO-CON FHifNpB. • IM
/Here in^ Calcutta today ve Hud our oppoaition have com
forward with a motion of ni^onfidence against Mr. Suhrawardy on th
ground of incompetence and indifterence and they have asked hfin, appeal
ed to him in the name ()f God to resign. I would ask them also in Un
name of God and anything that is sublime, let them analyse their owi
mind and ask themselves whether it is a fact or it is not a fact tha
Mr. Suhrawardy was fouml at his height of genius during this carnage
There is no douht that law and order collapsed. It m\\ he denyiiij
reality if anything was said to the contrary hut the fact is, fnun what
have seen of the great man, that he wa.s at the height of his genius* h
w’as at the height of honesty, integrity, sense of justice and efficiency. A
that time he was seen moving at the risk of his life in the streids o
Calcutta day and night when he saw his (*(um*a(h‘s, friends falling one Iv
one but he never lost that sense of justi<‘e whirh is becoming of u Cbie
Minister of our country. Our friends of tin' Congress said that his af!ili«
tion and attachment to the Muslim League party unbalance*! him, bu
nothing can be a greater perversion of trutli. \Ve found during thos
days Muslims in bamls and parlies ccuning to ns uml complaining tha
Mr. Suhrawardy wa*< attending too much to the Hindus. \VV found hir
working restlessly without f*K)d, without 'ih'ep these thn'e, four days
locking himself up in Lull Hazar (‘oiilml Koom, pjissing orders. If an
one (]nr**s to consult his j)rivate m>tt‘ book lie will finil how much he ha
to go into the detail.s. It is true that on tin* Itdli and 17th the ordinar
traffic police were found aliseiit ; it is tnn* that the Calcutta Police ooul
not cope with tlic situation, hut wlio can deny this tact that Mr. Suhrawiird
at the earliest opportunity calhsl upon the Army to take charge of tb
city . (Here the menilier reaclu'd his tiinediinit but was given tw
minutes mon‘. ) but the Army di<l not obey as liastily and as quickly a
they ought to ha\e done, becaii.se under tin* Govern men t of India Act th
Chief Minister hu.s no c<»nlrol over them. And it he says anything againiH
tlie Commissioner of Police he i.s not making him a scapi'goai. Whaievc
Mr. Suhrawardy may be. I caii assure the friimds ol the Opposition an
through them the country, he is not a cowar<L He knows how to tak
res ( 10 n s i hi 1 i t y h i m sel f .
As my time i.s up J would u.sk in all seriousness, in the name of Go(
in the name of anything that is mdde and sufilime, will th*' Muslims an
Hindus alike fall .so ea.'^ily a victim to Hie llritlsh mac hination and not ae
things as they should see them. Let us realise that time has come an
we should rise up to the height of our genius. Public calamity is a might
leveller. Will thi.s public calamity, the blood of our ifriends, relation
and comrades help in levelling our difl'erences and make a unit«*d/effo]
to drive out the tliird party, the British ImjierialiMm from India /
Mr. LD.MLAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, f rise to support the no-c>onfidem
motions which have been moved by Mr. Dhirendra Natli Datta an
Mr. Bima) Comar Ghose. We are meeting today under the shadow of
great catastrophe which has come over this gre^it city of (y'Alcutta, tli
second- city of the British Empire. It does noi require many argumen
to convince' the ordinary public tbat so far as (he Government of Bengi
is concerned it has faiW to preserve law and order, not only in a lane c
a bye-lane but in the broadest streets of Caleutta, not onty for an hor
or two but for days together. It is a shame for any Government in tb
world to come before the public and |tistify its conduct which involves tl
massacre of 5,000 persons dead and 15,000 persons injured in the cour«
of two or three clays, not in a remote village but in the city of Calcutf
which is the metropolis of this great country, which enjo^'s the tftiyileg
of having easily available the Governor of Bengal with liis 15 Ministeri
the Commissioner of Police' and all his paraphernalia. Does it requii
any argument to .convince tliat so far as the Govenunent of Bengal as
m
OF m^ONFIDENGE., [19th Smft.,
wkole is concerned it lias iftii^Wbly failed to protect tbe lives and liberties,
tbe properties and belongings and honour of the inhabitants of this great
city?
I do not understand as to why there should be a confidence passed for
the Hon’ble Mr. H, S. Suhrawardy as has been stated by the previous
speaker. If that be the criterion for passing a vote of confidence, then
I think we shall be passing confidence in that person who is responsible
for the commission of worse crimes in Calcutta. The position is quite
apparent to us. The issue before this House is not what Mr. Suhrawardy
as the leader of the llengal Muslim League Party did. What we are
concerned with in this House is as to what the Government of Bengal did
in order to preserve law and order in this city. That is the issue before
us. My friend who had just preceded me waxed eloquent upon the
political differences between Hindus and Muhammadans, between the
Indians and the Britishers. So far as that question is concerned, it is
being solved and every effort is being made in order to solve this problem
in a different spljere. That is not tbe question here. Tbe question is as
to what the Government of Bengal did in order to protect our lives and
properties on tbe HJtb and 17tli Aiigifst. We charge the Government of
Bengal thnl it has signally failed to protect tbe same. The Government
of Bengal w^dl knew what tbe situation was. When the meeting of the
Muslim legislators was held in Bombay, Sir Feroz Khan Noon and others
waxed eloquent on hloodslied. violence and what not. As a matter of
fact, Sir Feroz Khan Noon stated, I am speaking from liis re])orted speech
in the “Statesman’' — “If Britain puts us under (lie Hindu llaj, let us tell
Britain that the desi ruction and havoc that the Muslims will do in this
country will ])ut into shame what (Jhengiz Khan did.” We have seen,
Sir, whut Chengiz Khan did being actually done in this city of Calcutta
in Bengal which was the only province in wdiich the Muslim League liad
its sw’ay. (’an there be u worse coiuh'mnation than this that what
Chengiz Khan did several hundred' years hack was done in Calcutta under
the very no.se of the pre.sent Government ot Bengal and the Government
of Bengal was helpless in the matter. (Tiik Hon’klk Mk. Shamsuddin
Aumki) : Why do you forget that the Britishers are still here ruling over
us?) Mr. Abdul (juayum stated that 10 crores of Muslims will overthrow
the Government at the first opportunity. He stated: “The Hindus had
been governed by the Muslims for 80(1 years and the Hindu mind is deep
ill its heart for revenge. I hope the Muslim nation will strike swiftly
before such a Government can be set up in this country.” It was on tbe
2nd September when the Interim Government was going to be set up in
this country and the so-called Muslim nation was encouraged to strike
swiftly to show what capacity it possessed in order to create bloodshed and
strife in this country. It is quite true that so far as the leaders are con-
cerned they stated that it should be observed peacefully, bui it is a matter
of common knowledge that thousands of leanets were distributed by the
Muslims in order to create blomisbed. I have got one leaflet which showed
Mr. Jinnah with a sword in hand. This was a Muslim leaflet. I have
f ot a translation. 1 uni quoting a few lines from it. “The sWord of
slam must he shining on the heavens and shall subdue all bad wishes.”
It was printed by Guliiar Book Depot of Mil, Ratu l^kar Lane^ It says:
“We Muslims have bad the Crown and have rukd« Do not lose heart.
Be ready and take your swords. Think you MuMillu why we are under
the Kafirs today? The mult of love of Kaflr is not good. Oh! Kafir,
do not be proud and happy. Tbe doom is not far and the general massacre
remains. We aliall show our glory with swords in hand and shall have a
special victory.” I have got another leaflet which if called the Jamal
l^et published from the same place “asking the Mitsltnit to jMne into
the arena with their rwords and change of taeiios. We shall then see
who shall play with us for river of bkm ihali flow. We ^all hfve the
1^,1 ;M0TI051S OF !ilO.CONPlDKNCjE. IW
8Wor<Jg in our hands and the noise of Takbh*. there wiH be
Doom *6 This was the pamphlet which #as distributed just on the
eve^f the Direct Action day on the KHh August. '
The Hofi’bl# Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Who published it?
Mr. I. D. JALAN: Clukar Book Depot of d4/l, Ratu Sarkar Lane,
Calcutta.
Sir, it is not a question of this leaflet or that leaflet. What I say is
that so far as the Government is eonrertietl it Aid nothing to stop such
leaflets being distributed when the lension between the Hindus and
Muslims was so strong and when every effort had to be made to prevent
bloodshed and looting in this city of Calrutta. So far as the IGth and
17th August are concerned, so much has been written and so much has
been said that it is needles for me to rept'at. The fact is quite appartlftt
that if Mr. Suhraw^ardy had no hand in the preservation of law and order
with what purpose was he in the Control Hoorn Was he giving direc-
tions or w^as the Commissioner of Holne asking for directions P There
must be some reason for his presence in the Control Hoorn. Father be was
giving directions on his own initiative or he was giving directions on being
asked by the Commissioner of Police. But tlie fact remains that
Mr. Siihrawardy was in the (’ontrol Hoom. He slates that the Commis-
sioner of Police is resp(»nsihle for preNcrvation of law and order and that
he was not responsible. Then what was the piirposi* and meaning of his
stay in the Control Hoom? We are absolutely in llie dark as to what
hujinened to the police on the Ibth and ITih, but W(» did not receive the
slightest aid from the police or from the Government of Bengal, in any
shape wdiatsoever, and we had to preserve our lives and properties by our
own unaided effort, by our ow'n help and by tin* aid and relief of our lielief
Societies. Even those who %vere evacuated had to pay heavy bribes to the
police to carry a party from a disturbed area to a safe area. Everybody
was feeling helpless, everybody thought that the Government of Bengal
w’as at an end. A friend of mine t(d(l me that he phoned up the Governor
and tlie (VimmisHioner of Ihdice and elsew’here but witlioui success. When
he phoned up the ( ommissioner of Police, somebody in the Police Depart-
ment said: *** • • ♦ ♦ »» was what was stated to mo.
The question is that there are thousands of jierson.H who can testify that
as a matter of fact no help was forthemning from the police. If no help
, was forthcoming and if so many j)ersons have tlu)ught that no htdp wai
received from the p(dice, certainly after the great carnage people cannot
have confidence in tlie Government. Timt is the burden of our song. 8o
far as this Government is concerned, it has failed to pr<*sei v(* law' and order
in this city and because it has failed therefore it has forfeited our confidence
and the confidence of Gie people. Sir, these are mere incidents to prove
this fact and nothing else,
Mr. tREAKERs Mr. Jalan ha.s ({uoted some abusive language. 1
think it should not go in the proceedings.
Mn I. 0. JALANs Sir, that was what was stated to me by others.
Mr. BHUPATI MAJIIMDARS Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is with a heavy
heart that I stand hare to caudema this Ministry. I have passed all my
life dr^ming and fi^1|pig for the day when my owm countrymeg would
their own votes elect their own rulers. I know this Ministry is not
the realisation of my dream, yet I cannot forget that these Mininters are
elected representatives of my own .people . It is only the gravity of the
situation that has compelled me to rise in condemnation of this Ministr 3 %
Sir, I have hem in <aty during those terrible days; and as a humble
worker of the Cougroas I liot and did not sit safe behind closed doors.
1 had to fulfil mjf "bhligatioha as a oitisen and as a Congressman. 1 have
m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE, , [19th Sept.,
$een horrible scenes wit^* my own eyes. I bad to face angry mobs
repeatedly; I had tn roam*over and walk through some of the worst affect-
ed areas. Jt seemed to me, during those days, civilisation, nay even
human sense, bade good-bye to this city.
Sir, I have seen horrible crimes perpetrated in broad daylight before
the very eyes of the guardians of Jaw and order. In vain I have tried to
draw the attention of tlie standing-by police who have invariably replied
that they did not see anything or they could not do anything.
We are yet to know what mysterious order stayed the hands of the
Police and made them passive spectators of all sorts of crimes perpetrated
throughout tlie city. It hp been told, rather it has been admitted, that
the Cnief Minister was during the most part of these days liimself staying
in the Control Boom of liul llazar and yet frantic telephone calls to Lai
Bazar for Police help were only responded to with dhamkis : “Don’t vex
Ufl. We kiiow everything; nothing new.” Even within a hundred yards
from Lai Bazar where the Chief Minister was sitting and w'here a large
number of armed force was present, hooligans looted shops, set fire to the
whole of Terrify Bazar and butchered men, w^omen and children. The
whole Governmental machinery, it seems, as if Ijy pre-arrangement
ignorainously abdicated to the mob rule. Sir, 1 am a Congressman. I have
spent my wlude life for the salvation of my people and for the liberty of ray
(umntry. My conception of my country and people knows no limitation
of caste and creed. 1 am m>t here to blame Hindus or Muslims. As such
I say with sorrow and shame that my people l)ehaved in a manner unworthy
of our traditions and unworthy of humanity. Sir, for this degrading of my
people 1 hold this Ministry rtvsponsible. It has enraged and excited one
community to the Na<lir of a eommunal frenzy and it lias cornered another
community to desperate helplessness. Sir. this Ministry deserves the
strongest condemnation as keeping themselves in rosy safe seats, they have
roused and let loose the elemental passions of the inolis. Sir, I condemn
this Ministry because it failed t(» give protection to the innocent and help-
less citizens, because it could not check the frenzied mobs, because it could
not foresee that such eventualities might occur. But that is not all. I
further condemn this Ministry because it could not keep even the balance
of Government autliorities. It has been swayed by sectional feelings. It
was a eommou talk of the city that by acts of commission and omission it
has eucoviraged the holigans and anti-social elements of one community.
It has tampered with the ordinary Police administration not in order to
check riots and preserve law and order, but in order to provide greater
facilities to tlie hooligans and goondus. The incidents that happened in the
streets of Calcutta during these days would have been sufficient to condemn
^ any Ministry, leaving aside what happened behind the scene — what hapi>ened
in the Control Boom of Lai Bazar, m the Secretariat and in various other
police-stations of the city. That furnishes double condemnation for the
Ministry. Not only have they failed to keep law and order but they have
deliberately prevented the normal administrative machinery from doing
that. Even now goondas and other criminals are occupying shops and
bouses from where lawful owners have either been eliminated or forcibly
ejected. Sir, yet that is not all. We have yet to see at the root of the
tiling. Members of this Ministry are respimsible members of a party which
has taken the course of Direct Action at its best which then means the
upsetting of law and order and in its worst means the stirring up of a civil
war. Skr, I leave it to you and to this House if it is anywhere in this world
possible for the Ministers toi^plav Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in matters which
mvolve the life and safety-oi 6{) millions of people. This is a curious sight
that those who are in charge of maintaining law and order should at the
same time play a role of la^-breakers and instigators of a civil war. Common
decency and a little sense of responsibility should have impelled them to
shake off this double rdle. But l am 8om% Sir, that these Ministers have
neither a common decency nor any sense of responsibility developed in their
1946.1
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDKNCE.
101
feeling either to resign from the Wgue or from the They did
neither. Instead of that they hare been instigating a civil war^ — a war of
mutual extermination. They did not miuse to think about the coiisequenoe
of such a war— if it is, as this is likely t<i spmid from Bengal to other
provinces. This is a dangennis game t<»r a set of crajsy Miui.sters to indulge
in. Sir, 1 know that they have roused coiumimal })a.Hsion to such a pitch
that they felt safe hehiml a stututtuy majorii\ . I know that my Muslim
brethren would turn a deaf ear to iu\ earnest appeal, vet I must make my
appeal to them and ask them to eonsider wliere this Ministry is leading our
people to. This communal Ministr\ ean lead to in) gmul, neither to the
Muslims nor to tlie Hindus. Three years ago a similar communal Ministry
was functioning, millions of <nir eountixmen died of famine. I was (lieu
in prison and was thus spared the painful sights ot corpsea in the streets.
But I have se(*n the recent achievements of this communal Ministry. Hindus
and Muslims died in that famine and they have both died in this cufnage.
So ] appeal to my Muslim brethren present here to ponder over the matter
and decide from the point of view of doing good to Muslims alone whetlier
this Ministry deservch their support an\ longer. Sir. I aiipeal to the other
corner of this House also, I mean the kuropean group. May 1 expect that
they will not allow any material gum or petty commercial considm'ations
to stupefy their human sensed They have seen the gruesome jiictures of
the (’alcuttu streets during the (treat t'alcuttu Killing. Would they then
lend their support to tin* Ministiy who failed so grossly to keep law and
order even on the streets of the great metropolis y May 1 expect that at
least -now the\ would allow hiinmn sense to prevail over other considerations P
Sir, lastly, through you 1 should like to .send my appeal again to my country-
men sitting in this small room. 1 apiieul to iheiii to assert their demo-
cratic right to condemn this Ministry which is responsihh* for the death of
so many Hindus and Muslims, whudi has lailcd to jirotect the life and
propeitv of thousands of peoph*. whi(‘h has hcen pluming with lire when
charged with th(‘ duty ot ijuelling tire and which has fomented bitter
communal aniniosity all over the counti.N. This .Ministry which hus no
progianime of social welfare for the amelioration of the condition of even
the Muslim iiias.se‘». which has not done a little bit tor tin* good of the (oil-
ing millions and which as a hi.nt report had stirreil up bitter coniniuiial passion
ol the worst tyiie for remaining in office desfuves condemnation from all
part.s ot the J^rovince. d'liis Ministry 1ms tailed as administrator. It baa
failed as a political pait\. It has failed as a set <d bon(»uiabb* men. The
street scenes ol those days are still liaunting me and I cannot tor a moment
forget tliosf* gruesome scenes and hence 1 cannot forget thi* Ministry wdiich
i.s alone responsible tor th»*m. I owe it to my [xMjjile and I owe it to mv
conscience when I .say (hat I shall strive to remove this Ministry, whicli
ha.s failed so atrociously in protecting the destiny of (ill millions (d people.
Sir, for the god of the people ot Bengal, both Hindus and Muslims, 1 support
this ii*solution of No-confidence.
The HOfiTile Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is
with sorrow and liuiuiliatiou that I take my stand to opptne tlie No-
confidence motion that has been moved against the Mini.stry as a whole and
against Mr. Suhrawardy, the (’hieT Minister of thi.s Brovince. Sir, it seems
my friends on tlie opposite side seem to think as if Mr. Suhrawardy and (he
gang here this side arc the persons who are at the root ot this uirnuge. I
know very well that it is very easy to speak <»n (he ftoor ot this House. Sir,
l>efore I go into details of tho re<*eiif hajipeniugs may 1 take my friends
back to the historical background of the wdiob* tragedy that has been
witnessed here in Calcutta?
Sir, who does not know how the Mussalmans of this IVovince were
crushed, how Mussulmans all over India were crushed from 1757 to 1857.
Then again, who does not know the Confiscation Proceedinj^ that followed
the occupation of •^ngal. ConEscation of Muslim properties, confiscation
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[19th Sept,,
of mosques, conAscation of iaigirs, confiscation of large aemindaries belong-
ing to Muslims were the order of the day and these valuable properties were
kmded over to the Hindus. Why? Because the Mussalmans ruled this
country then and it was necessary for the British rulers to cuish the
Mussalmans, That followed till 1857 when the first war of Indian in-
dei>endence was waged. Well, Sir, we know, and I think every reader of
history knows, that the Muslims with the help of some Hindus — I mean,
the kUhrattas — tried to regain the independence of this country but they
failed because the Sikhs helped the British, and there the curtain was
drawn.
Sir, this followed in the international sphere also. I would refer my
honourable friends to the situation in the Middle East. In 1144-18 when
the first (treat War came, (Jolonel Lawrence was sent to Arabia, stirred, up
tiie Arabians to revolt against the Turkish rulers, and everybmly knows that
Turkey was divided, dismembered and defeated. Money was silent to win
over a traitor just as here also it was done to win over traitors like Jagat
Seth, Mirzafar, TTmichand and others. That traitor was promised kingship
of Arabia — the holy land of Arabia— but after the war was over, the
Britishers did not keep that promise and pledge given to him.
Sir, today we hear that liijlia cannot be partitioned into Pakisthai^ and
Hiudusthan. Everybody knows that the carnage over which we are debat-
ing here was the result of the fact that the Muslims iu this (oanfry want
that they should have Pakistan in this country while our Hindu friends
oppose tooth and nail that demand of Pakisthan which they say we could
never have. Well, Sir, you all know' that the betrayal of the Cabinet
Mission recently led to the outburst of the feelings of distrust that was
already in existence between the two communities in this r, untry.
Mr. Sj)euker, Sir, I was saying that the way in which Muslims have
been treated and the W'uy in which their rights have been trampled upon —
that has given a cause of exultation to my friends ojiposite. Sir, before
I speak on the main question, I would refer my friends fo fhe accusations
that have bf?en hurlecT against this Ministry. Mv friends have fuid that
the Ministry, and particularly Mr. Suhrawardy, w'as the root cause of this
calamity. Sir, on the KUh August what did the Muslim League aek tlie
people to do? The Kith of August was not a Direct Action Day \4ien the
Muslims wore asked to rise in revolt and cut dowrn ever\^ Hindu in the
confiugration. The Kith of August was fixed for explaining the iitJ plica-
tions of the resolution that was passed at the Bombay session of the All-
India Muslim League Council, and you know'. Sir. how Quaid-e-Azam
Muhainmtid Ali Jinnah appealed to the people to observe that day in peace.
As far ns the accusations are concerned, may I refer mv friends to ilie
writings in the “Basumati” and in other papers, the sentiments expressed
and the speeches delivered in the past in various parks of the city. I wcnld
refer, Sir, to certain writings in the “Basiimati”. This carnage ij;uk place
fnnn the 16th of August. But on the 4th of August the "Basuin iti’*
writes : —
fjji^ 'Q ^ r
Then on the 10th of August the “Basumati” wTites: —
wvvtjtv f^i ▼ffc^ WT5?hr »:<f
C5W
it fyt r cwi vtv<rf#rf ^ merr wfinn v f vvn c^ i
ifro Wi wti Btircf ’f9rf! iff
^ *ni. w til :>*t
[1946.] MOTIONS OF N(M)ONFIDfiNCE.
^ ^ ^ \ ^ Tm TJrttn ftfci PKitflrs
?tl?l I ^ wf% WZ T5T J ifH tfOJtl ^«(TlClt ifip
.fwnt fs»?^ ▼fro C5^ ¥^1 nv^Tt’rfil >r5TOni >prr»nr Ttfj i ?wi i )
Then on the 11th of August the “Basumuti'* writes: —
wfm rs^ m C^i ^:i sn ort m i ^ m i
’ifiw vfjtp^ m wT^n ??¥Ti cn, jMh ¥fn) ormw m cw?,
*!i, TO ^ 1 *j¥ ♦fffw onr, TO^rst^w ntm
cmi W^IT tpWT TO, (TOfl ▼m!*! TOmr C^ ’PR Jlft. ’Jtfw, <II’R f¥ ^ ^ITO
TOP? WJ? ’f?l TO--f%l fsrr?«U TO ’n, iiw;
wttrs^ m ▼f«TOF5?— fTif^rs o^TOm r sniff ft%i w tow <IK
fT^vi TOW? fntfl ’nsTtTCT nitf 1 ff^rs ntxR i”
Then writes the ‘‘Busumuli” on the 14th August, two days Wfore the
ocH'urrence took j)lare : —
“f fcf 1^? n:*»w' a fiiwi— '*
I am sorry, Sir, I have not been able to translate these |)assages tor the
benefit of iny frieruK over there, but 1 shall translate them, it time permits,
when 1 have finished.
Sir, there was a meeting held at Deshpriya Park on the 14th of August.
I will not read out the leaflets that were distribule<l in that meeting. In
that meeting Mr. Kiran Sankar Hoy and Mr. Niharendu Duti-Maxumdar
uttered eertiun words whieh were heard hy some ol my friends jiri'sent in
the meeting. Tlieii the meeting was addresseil h\ Mr. Sunuidru Mtdian
(ihosh, President ot the Bengal l*rovineiul (’ongress (’onunitlee, Mr. Nalini
Kaiijan Sarkar and (»tlier.s urging the lliudus to see that the ohsiuvanee of
the Kith August might not succeed.
Then, on the other r>ide, I may mention tt> you, Sir, what :ij»p(‘ul was
issued by <4uaid-e-Axam .liiinuh, that was publisbed very kinilly in the
“Amrita Bazar Patnka’', dated the Kith. Mr. Jinnah said: "The Kith of
August is not for the purpose of resorting to direct action of any kim^ :ind
therefore I enjoin upon the Muslims to eonduct tliemselves p(‘aeefully in a
disciplined manner and not to play into the hands of our euemieH”.
Sir, I would refer in this connection to the <ine .statement issued to the
Press and another'inade at the Press (’onlenone at Homhay hy the now
Hon’ble Ihindit Jawaliurlal Nehru. He said that if the League <li(i not jeun
with the Congress there might be .some minor trouble. His stationent to
the Press (\»nfereii{'e was very signitieant, naiiiel; , lliat if the t'ongress
formed an interim Government under the leadership of Pandit Nehni and
if the l.reague started some kind of direct action, obviously the Government
would face that kind of direi t action either by coming to a compromi#o or
by opfHising it: if the tTOvernment is strong, the direct aciioii goes under;
but if the Government is weak, the Government goes under.
' Mr. 40CE8H CHANDRA GUPTA: Wbut is the point there?
Th# HonTiie Mr. 8HAM8UDD1N AHMED: The ooint is-ihiH is a
sentiment that you are feeling that the Hindu Raj has been established .
May I, Sir, in this connection say that 1 wu.s an Iminhle servant of the
Congre»» for over a (juarter of a century. Mr. Bhupati Mazumdai' iias said
that he has played his part. May I remind my friend that he and I were
college friends and he and I were in the Congress, and if he has played his
part I also have played my part.
Sir, we find that the mentality that has been exhibited today is the
culmination of a menialitv that was at the foot of there being no settlement
between the Hindus and Muslims during this period when Mahatma Gandhi
110
MOTIONS OF I^-CONFIDENCE.
[IBth Sept.;
tried bk be»t to solve the communal problem. In 1028 the Nehru Report
was drafted for giving constitution to India. The sum and s'lbstanse of the
Nehru Report was that there would be unitary Government at the Centre
with powers for the provinces and we Muslims in the Congress opposed it*
and opposed it tcM)th and nail. That was one of the leasons why the Nehru
Report was scrapped and in the 1^29 session of the Indian National
Congress held at Lahore, that was thrown into the river Ravi and the resolu-
tion of complete independence was adopted.
I need not remind my friends of the Congress in this House that they
have made their Macritices in blood and money. Well, I’.e Muslims have
done the very same thing. Before 1920 there was no direct action ibtgun
either by the Congress or any other organisation in this country. Before
that time — from J7o7 — the Muslims paid in money, in lite and in property
and my friends the Hindus cannot deny that they were profited by the entry
of Great Britain into this cjountry. When the light of nationalism arose
in my friends of the Congress, 1 admit that was the time wnen they took
up active resistance to foreign rule in this country. In Ht20 non-co-opera-
tion was adopted us the creed of the Congress and I must cdmit that with
the advent of Mahatma Gandhi into the scene, really the (h)ngress l.eeaine
a force and it was the Khilafat that gave that force to the Congress. 1 rnav
remind this House that W'hen the non-c'o-operution resolulioii was adopted,
the Khilafat movement also adopted and aeee]>led that ni) 0 -( ( •oj>eration
programme in August 1920 and the Orngress at its special Hssion held at
the Wellington S(iuare in September 1920. aeccpied that m>n-e»).r]u ration
progrjimme.
Mr. HARIPADA CHATTERJEE: We have heard enough of his
heroics. What did they do to kwp law and order!"
The Hon'hit Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: So long as the Speaker does
not ask me to sit dowrr, 1 urn not going to sit <lown. Why my fnend
getting impatienty
1 was in the C<ougress and 1 worked in the hope that India would attain
independence, 1 worked in the hope and with the vision and dream that
uirited India will I'orne in, hut when 1 apprehended that my friends in that
^uise wanted to eslahlish another rttj, then alt>ne 1 left the Congress and
joined the Muslim League. I frankly confess it and J admit that tor 2')
long years 1 worked with my friends of the opposite side. It i as been
amply proved l»y the recent utterances of Ihindit jawaliatlul Nehru. ICveu
after assuming the othce of the Viee-Vresident of the yieeroy’s Executive
Council, what iVul he say at the time »>li the \m»ad<Mst? At the time of the
hroudeasl, In* referred to untouehahility, but he did not sj>euk a word about
Hindu-Muslirn unity.
Then my friends have said, what was the (3hief Minister doing? Mr.
Suhruwardy will explain what he was doing and as Home M’oister he will
explain what Ire was doing. But as an humble Minister 1 may say that
ou the 17th we tried to contact (he (Congress leade^^ aril we wanted (<■ meet
them so that the carnage might he stopped. I personally went to the Ijcader
nf the Congress Barliarnentary Party at Taltolla. He would not ccme out
of the House, hut I hrouglit him out of his house. T addi>es8ed a gathering
at Taltolla and rn> friemi Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy also addressed the |fotber-
ing. Thereafter we asseinhled at the Chief Minister's noin here m the
Assembly and there we tried how* to bring nlunrt peace in rlie crtv. The
day following, we also met. The Chiff Minister, and the Home Minister
will say what he tried to^io. My friend Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy also knows
what we did. (Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy: Not all you did.) Neither I
know what you all did. I say that we tried to do what was best under the
circumstances. Sir, what is my time.®
Mr* 8PEAKERS Ton have been allowed 20 minutes. You Lave spoken
foi* IB minutes and you can sp^k for two minutes more.
gf«6.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENOE. Ill
Th* lloiiW* Mr. SHAMSUOOIN AHMED: I am sorry tlio time is
ery short. I can only make a passing reference to the mentality ihat has
een exhibited by the burning of bustees and killing of persons. 1 do not
now whether these jieopie knew about Pakisthau or Hindusthan. My
I lends have laid everything at the door of the Muslim League and the
fuslim Ministry. I could not imagine or visualise how lowly bnstees
aside Hindu-dominated localities could have been wijied out and burnt to
shes. 1 have it from some of my Hindu friends that the Nikaripara
^stees and the Baghbasar Imstees wei*e surrounded and set on fire and
rhenever people wanted to come out were beaten to death by iron rods and
be dead bodies were thrown into the fire.
Before I sit down may I say— -I do not hold it out as a threats — that if
re Muslims and Hindus cannot live together, this game will be played as
re have been made the cat’s paw. If we cannot shape our destiny ourselves,
re do not know’ what is going to happen. The Muslims want that they
hould have Pakistban and our Hindu friends say that the Muslims should
lot have Pakislhun. If there is no settlement. 1 do not know wliat is going
0 happen. The Congress has been installed in power at Delhi. I do not
now what talks w’ill take place hetw’een Ihuidit Jaw’abarlal and Mr. Jinnah.
lut, after all, 1 apprehend that if this is not settled, I do not know what
9 going to happen. The Congress has combined with (Ireat Britain and
t has become an Anglo-Fascist organisation. It has caught hold of the
eigns of office. The “Aiprita Bazar Patrika” published in blazing head-
ines “Congress assumps power”. After assumption of pow’er, I know my
lindu friends were in ecstasy.
On the lOth August the Muslims were going to at (end a peaceful
iieeting at the maidan. What would have happened if the Muslims had
urned out in tliousands at the maidan to express their resentment at the
letrayal by the (/ubinet Mission!' What was (here in r»pposing and in
ivimr ac(ive reHi‘<(ance (o the processionists who were going!' Whut was
here that at Bhaw’anipore and at the Harrison Hoad junction the pro-
essionists w’ere beaten and brickbats were thrown at iluun from house-t 4 )ps?
)oes not that show that preparatory arrangements were mndeP This was
iroof ]iositive of the fact that my friends of the Hindu ('ongress wanted
hut the Kith August should not be made u sueeess. If (he Kith August
lud Wen a sueeess, possibly (be Muslims w’ould not liave got Pakistban.
hikisthan wa^h] not have fallen on Calcutta if the observance of tlie Kith
Uigust had been a great success. T am sure the communal bogey, the
inholy structure, will soon come to ]neees and its remains w’ill be kept in
be Museum where it will remain in silent majesty. T hope even now
tense will dawn on my friends here and they will come f<» a compromise on
X joint basis. I ladieve my friends here will think over this matter H<*riously
A voicr From Congress uEyriiKs : Did you say joint electorate?): Sir,
lere in Calcutta the Muslims are in a minority. But what would have
happened, may I ask my friends to imagine, in Chittagong, in Eastern
Bengal and other places if the Muslims there wye furious. W'ell, as a
natter of fact you have bv your action brought about Pakistban. Hindus
ire evacuatinjET ^**0™ Muslim localities and Muslims arc evacuating from
Hindu localities. By your action, by your active resistance on that day,
liy your killiiy innocent men, women and children you have added actively
and cxmstructively to the advancement of the Pakistban programme. Ijong
live Qnaid-e-Azam — ^Tiong live Pakistban. You do not want to give
Pakistban to the Muslims, but, in fact, in Calcutta you have proved that
the only solution that lies ahead is in the observance of Pakistban.
With these words. Sir, I oppose the motions.
Mr, MREHMA ONAIfORA BHATTAWARdEE : Mr. Speaker, Sir,^#fm nflm
fl*ni swpfi tfftf. resfew fSrnr wm ^ spjcitf
wM ^ on w J T Wy t Hf !ff% wrr wm, vfkm ^ am fR m
R
m MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [ 19 m Skpt.,
vs fpr#5f c^, fsfsr f3TH?s«c*t »r1i¥ frj-ypnitrw tffs
vfs-rv
w^rffsi, vvt3i <4?; ’fv^ttfscvr c*flCT i Jut t?!f
cn cfTH 'iivf ^♦mc^r 5Trfv =ilt^ vtto <<wi i
fi: oj?; snrf? -'tfinwfira arfrrv^ft? vc^^rrsi to w^ tf sgpi
tfcTOT fm 3n I wm i^mn ^rtrii^ ^ vtttpm vmf i
tfSTf TOfcs TOffro ^ »rr^[ TOstir y fi r ^ t su r
Ttfl ViTf C5Tf%C^ C«f5?If^ ?1 TS|¥ C^ %r, ST?1 tpFM
c^ *t%?r c’tnr i
rni%T, sT?t?n iltc^ra toto
wvxoR I c*nwrpR m' tprfiP! f?: ^sfir^r^ Sf^ swrsv s*nrf?
VTO5I1 ftvfst ?cff I ^ str^ 5r3i
TO ▼^ri % i
ctpi^mr tpR-wffrf i tofc^ '*?fsnTC’r
vsf^rvs i ^ c'tro ^ tj-fs wtro
TOTI
'^TfTci ^tjfc’f gtVs ?ftjwin, i
im*?rrm TOBTW ’T^^frmg fvfi ^ i ^ -smH y^tw 3Tc^«f
vfc^— m ii u m
tfsrv fro^ ^-?r5)f? '^I4cii< *fTf^ f^#\5Tx^
VfVfTT TO tprm I (TT ^«F% I fsps ^•J tig' ^'sn? cq TOTO51
5f»nrti:^--g^*^, wfyjTfT?, to plroirf, ^mr tV »it<f7T3T\ nvs^
m ?
mm fjprtfs wi m «mi i c^ iit j-rf^ c?tc-ipr mm i
*t!r wfWt^i TTt^rt g^TOR frowR i .iit totr ^ 5^^
ircv *PR 5 n ▼c^, srrr^f irR‘irt f^ a; mtjm ^«fiTfr
JfOTf, fF*g w^T'S ’TfwR \air c^ I ’yrg^Tfr^F sTor— TOnR imt torr toI^
CTf¥, sRr:«r« ¥c^R ntan cnc^ i cro |ir crv? ^ "in i
g^r»rr -rkvi^ ?c<n<3 cro m-ynf?nF cftn fci, TO--r% wti^s to
^ (Tn?! TOrj src^. nffr^ i
TO» va^fTOR g«rR TOcm \v^ av >rgfs gfis ^sar ^ arfirro ^7
snrrrt firc’m fir^jcra arfraRi arti t?rr SrarTfr g? arcs
TOtl^ ^Tf^ fk\ v$T grts amf, wf^'4 to jt?— to cto ^rrfircjr^ tl^Pfj
wtv fw<n tfarf^s vm,^ 1 »ifirs ^tor D. I. B. mnsrf\ w%3 1 mr^
tffv ■rrfvf^TO'R CTO TOTTt TiPi I x^fro^tcra ’fftrs itfrorocw? c^mmc^R to iti-
Wmtl TOR SR tfTTO ^ ^
TO5d5RCT, ^%R TOs ^9rc«rf TORR-^rfrlt TOm !fcii c5g[S f?rsR jftav ^tciw-
TO *n WR Srro torr i tfror ffroro ctotTOR ^ v^ctpr Whrf tod « srr
TOf% RRRRI CTOHR I TO?g^ CTOR TOR-^J^ n^TOV yfl fa TOIR I
mm tfTO cTOCTf FfTO I
»aTOR TO TO TO 'S TOS^tCS VORTO tffstts TOCf » TOCll ^tcl ffls W^TOIt
fro TOTf ; «ffTOTOtft VTO ^ttS !fN ffCTO ; TOR STO«i WRl TOfTO
TOtfl
TO TO! ’^TffTOl, TO>nwR, 5V TOR, RTOt.RRTO !r^ g;TOR-VJ[TfTO TOTvfifTO
TOPTOTO figpr TOTTO g«^, ^toR ; at*t!VJ. tT?^ ^ V CTOfSw ^aC*!f TO
ftiRv ftro ff^TTOR, iRfRR !f^ fnrvi ftgpw vi tvfMi
TO <€1 TO TO TO ICT V» I
im.] MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. IIS
fnnrf, ftr« wrcf vw \
fifTifff f^Rrmn wrr *jfiM citWR ▼in ntc^R ^rfat t f^rtt i i ^
ff jnf— 3ff? !f ▼n^itsfi ▼cn'Q r^rmlt m) frji nfvnrfift ouw; ^n Scwtir
frjc^ «<}f« TO c^ nroi
TOn TOnr i? iim itmi tf^fTOirr
5»nr ^ ▼c^ ▼fct 1 '
FTTi if^n jfm c^f'TOi ?TO5t“ ^f%TO ¥11 OT ^^ ) ^fin |»iinn
^ »r¥iTc^ ittfr^s viof. ▼nin'135 »i;n ▼ini, w (▼
va¥f Wn iT3T¥c^ 9'^ ▼n 5“^ ▼TOjj Jnrfi? i fs^^ niftn fir¥ !?fltc¥ ^tf rym
’l^•ln5 4C»rt$i
ijR’n ‘^rr^r^ wf^wi ▼^nni c^nri ^ im wffifjn itrtn
c^ m K^ffT'n, ▼fswsn tfir^T & r6¥ nfrs nr^iran *n
c^ !r<i^« iiTc^ tri f^i:nc¥? i
wnrT4 fr¥ Sm toctoi firc^^ ▼n « *tW 1 !>ttJt1%c¥ *toti ▼in
▼*nRif m ¥^1 srnrc® >yyA feT5 t^T^i i Jif«fc¥ wmtto ¥^Tf jn^nTcui
jrnpn Hr^rw;? ^ vfritin rcvc^ ot.ooox M'n TOn l»T¥i ijit ▼nmcron
\»Fnn:^ ^firoi ^crti nvc9 ^ofxxjs *fi rtwn t?T¥i. fVi rT^»r ijiffm
*npM ▼^^'l ar^nTRi ‘tni Tm.^ !▼?
c¥<^ Fr¥i ’nrc^t ’rt*} ▼TJ fsfi’nn rstrvs ▼tn
'i^'-ttfri, 4? ¥%r-j, wccrt ^rr^nrcti ^ nn
%TTOnR y^n^a ▼rr^ i cw^o jiti rTn^nrcif i»mnt¥ <rh imm )Jnn |f^
^H^^ <fT5i' ▼fo^jrrcM r5?¥^ 1^1 TOti wtf?*? "t-Tt ▼ir^ »i¥n ymro
r4i)nr¥« Rbnins 'mf^r t snnr*ir>rc¥ «nfwc?t ^fi» fvcmMrt ’ffft-
^rfsrr^i ¥wni tPirm w
(7T^ mrr< *ri, c^ nfrjii¥3ji:¥<i jui? ▼^fVs
▼c^5 1 ¥fr^ R'tc-pi imm 5T>i ▼’I'*? ¥11 rrvfs#!, fsf^^’nr Fnm
TOTOTcsT *rtr¥TT^ «nJTT tfv ▼fc’5 ncwn (?m ▼rwf^ i
r^rf^ c¥C3 «nftrT^^^r ¥f<fjr5 ii^ c*j‘t“n ¥>n« TTfwr«nr trrpi ^
rcu "TOn” jm¥ >a¥«n^} 'tfirro tfTrrfV^ f^’fri JirTn 'ifrcw ifl^: mntfc^ Scwn-
tfm ^ Ji-v 9^1 ▼jpirim^n ^^n^nrun f^>Tijr<»T ▼« c»f!:ff iTf%
▼a fnw I
ij? jmmi *rii ftfmft r!r¥.|¥5Tir»i'*fr^n ^nn
»rf^i lyfyifj Ii^^h to c¥H ▼rofTB Trfvi Sf^/irs
tfTO^n %r5r5 ¥1 Tc^r fri ^f%r5 ▼^ ▼▼J? 1 ’nrTO ^
3r«^ftr¥ ▼’Htfinj ▼C? 'll tf¥'5 ^ ’n^R WW{ I
Hr, BMOY KKIIHIVA SARKAR : Afr. Speaker, Sir, tT^ f*Nc*T
▼f%¥nn 5r¥f S*n cm mifn ramo ^ Ym w^r irft c¥ r »mn‘f nro mn
•fw’trJtfipi ¥1 1 (ViOTiTOQ 41^ cw^f ▼w«f»r cro
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fl^.^¥.Cim“t-1^»%TO JTfTO r^tToTO IHSm ▼?! I 4JR f¥ n CTOWt^ ^ ?tifff»r,
▼^ wff^nit frpwii tro •jtnr *frsfi to^hi
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TOn ¥^ 4<prs cm^ W9 I '>f¥i'n*S ot? tf fwc ii c¥m cif^ wm cwr
>itifn Iwi TOft^c^p tf¥n ¥i?f¥ of¥i ^ CTi , vfwm ^ cwt c¥*i ipim ▼nfi
114
MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCE.
[19th Sept.,
wn tn >fimr mrm am m w^re mrr w iff? oFnt
WTS fPCiP ?77T7 ffTfffiT TCT? ff/?f J1? Cffff7 J?F *rtTT C^Jff
TOTi ft?*! iff I ?fi4 oTj f¥ ? 'W cff >rra ^f%i ^Siin*! %!, WfffftffcT «tif¥re cwi
ffW, WWl Dsm ^?MW Cflif fro CffffI ffW I ?7J 7fp3 ftr TCff ^PTmT 5?:^ (f
rtfli! ^'-1 ^f*wrf iif<n tpffiff ftro «fff¥re frmfesR i IVs ftrt-f in <ff%sf ^ftn
▼<ri!? n ?r5T?in '(tftm ’itw :n i tei fffsm? '!fff5r to i
vfV oTOt' rt«i ■flrv, TO iTTO ftftiSrn snn Tn iff? crnr 4?*<i insrmg
i«<i-5if*TD ^>TO >itf<pj ji'Jiik® I c^‘si>i <s :i4ti!S5T *ff^5r »irf*nn ten
>rra TOm vfinrtOTi >6? ’ffiti Public holiday declare ifftiff? orj fV f^r atfk^ ^
CTR •! ^ S'^’Riftr in r ^?R3*i f^si? <it^‘n r, 'aifrnTft w 5n <!%*!
lilt «fltflr3 iRfit cT^m csirr=n "loR rth i otpi st?i ^JRscsr esjm ;n;iiR ^ffiR 5 ?^^
■891 TO>ft^l Vin litflffni ik HI r WTTO? ffciiT 'arn’r 39113 % 1 ^iR«an
fiwt rtra 'Bppr in 'iitr*! irTsTimi tfw ^fTO: jm ’itt® in 1 c? w jjpiTO ^t iit=(^
8Trt7 f*i« ?titift*! rfR9t*R T-m ijmffi fir 4t TO‘n TO m? c? iiftr» isww? ftTOs
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▼ftmr
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fflti ‘'I)awn’'«lf 3 iTni?fTOc>l tfilR.ffit ft: ^nnft fe ft*! nm TOTOR ^f%1control.roorn4
fffPRI r^ft fti iS'm TOR crom TO fttfR C3t'.| Tftwftc^fiT, illWw ftvri'reit C5ti
^ftmfTOiir aam kr Fjrmca ftia fta. ^j-ni iirot ^ii;Jtri to ftr xri 3 ^ astftTO
cfftTO rn mtr *i,lt!iTOTO to to feft vm mfr’s ftmftr-nn, - 5^.1 tor toto ftr sstnt
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ft: 9* m:TO tf^iR-inlt iR,--feft *?k'-n 4=^7 tfTO crsi 1 firt? snftim croa 391-
ftacT 941 itro TOf f-f 4 at 96*1 fsa t
TO 49l1t 991 941 tfRTO I vilTORTT >n^R 994 JRa'n 9ftc*R
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TOfro (Rti TO aoM-i TOtfta7:9a to c>r TO i 499 r9 TObr tor tiro-cTOi! 9 j
TOTTTOt TO--TO7tirr ftafft'R iffira 'saa'Mt froftarfa cro 9rTO jtor 9fjTO csti stiitR 1
9*TO Bffta^t WTOITOC^ tffe TOfCR 9«r9R TOTTOI 9ft9m | ft; »pnTOl :5><| BiftaB
TOTO tfaTOff R 9*i9-9irTOi c*ia4 9f<Rtnfii TOi 9a-9itrsR3 jftR m 1 TO*rfl RiiTOaa 4t
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Rfefira afiiR I 4 t 991 aftm Rtft No-confidonce Motionr9 TO-t'a 99ft 1
Mr. TAFAUAL ALI: The second city of the British Empire had
Wn through a blo(^ bath. The savagery committed during the Great
Killing in Calcutta is certainly something which will be remembered by
the historians of India when writing the history of the country. The
atiwities committed by the Japs and Germans p^e into
before the atrocities committed in this Great Killing of Calcutta. I
realise. Sir. it will seiwe no useful purpose in recapitulating the acts of
brutality that have been committed on men, women and children
including cases of raM on girls of immature age and women of 60 vears
of age. It will merely prolong the 8ore.9 of the bodies and the minds of
the aggrieved persons, and start a fresh conflagration throughout the
whde province. I have heard with wrapt attention all the speeches
that have been made on the floor of this House this afternoon *^t I
have been pained to hear the speech made by an hononrable member
who merely gave a narraGon of the atrocities committed, aocordinff to
him, by one partioukr community. 1 can al^ narrate instuioM of
1946.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
115
similar nature, I mean, atrocities committed by the other community.
This wil] merely embitter the feelings which are at a high tension m
Calcutta, as well as throughout the Province. Sir, after hearing the
speeches and observing certain facts, I am inclined to think that persons
who are against this Ministry—the only licague Ministry in the whole
of British India, deliberately engineered tliis riot, in order to discredit
the Ministry before the bar of the world opinion (cries of “hear, hear”
from Government benches.) I thought, 8ir, that after the frank and
straightforward speech made by the Hon’ble Mr. Suhrawardy in the
Upper House, in reply to an adjoiirnment motion, this motion of no-
confidence would not be pressed in the Tiower House, but my friends
in the opposite have decided otherwise.
Sir, one fact that strikes me is that on the 15th August, a meeting
was held in the Deshapriva Park which was attended by eminent men of
the other community including some honouruldc members of this House.
Without discl()sing the name of the particular inemher 1 urn pained to
read a portion from Ins siK»ech in which he exhorted the HiiKlu youths
of Bengal to rise against the Muslim League Ministry and set up a
parallel Government and start a no-rent campaign, saying that if the
majority were to rule, the jackals w«»uld rule over the lions.
Sir, m\ honourabh* friends will realise that such a H]K*ech must have
created a very had setting for the Itlth August. Another fact that
strikes me most is the participation of a class of persons who are not
Hindus — I mean my Sikh brethren, and I pt>sseHS unimpeaehuble
evidence to prove that the Sikhs attacked the MuHlinis — the peaceful
processionists — in .South ( alcutta along with Hindu goondas ami subse-
quent!} took part also in killing Muslims. Tliey are not Hindus,
and I do not know why they took part in this communal strife. W’^hy
should the Sikhs fight unless there was a previous alHam’e between the
.Sikhs ami others, who wan/ed to create trouble on the Kith; there is no
reason why people who were not Hindus shoiihl take part in a communal
fight. Hut 1 sav. Sir, that it wuis not a communal .fight at
all. On the Uith August, at 9 u.m, in the morning, there were simulta-
neous attacks in various parts of the city. One such attack was made
on a Muslim mass in a Hindu urea of CVntru! (.'alcutta where
as many as 15 persons were killed and the report is that in that area my
esteemed friend Mr. Dhirendra Nath Datta also lives in a Boarding
House, namely, the Ideal Home. I do not know if it is correct. Now,
Sir, w'ill it be proper to say that because some atrocities wen^ committea
near his building, my friend Mr. Datta could have anything to do with
those atrocities Similarly, the Ministers canm»t have anything to do
with any atrocities that might have been committed by Muslims. And
as far as 1 am aware, tla^se atrocities were committed late on the 17th,
18th and 19th so far as killing was concerned.
Sir, it has been said that Muslims in ail places were aggressors.
I do not know, Sir, how it is pfwsible either for me or for any honourable
member to say on the floor of the House that either the
Muslims or the Hindus in all places were the aggressors. T do not pretend
to make a statement of this nature because I consider it to
be physicaDy impossible to -vouch for a statement of this nature. But,
Sir, I was present in the maidan meeting of the lOth, where about a lakh
of Muslims assembled and held a jH*aeeful meeiing. I have personal
knowledge of this fact that apart from motorists, even Hindu pedestrians
and cyclists were passing by tbe side of this meeting, hut not a single
Mussalman thought it fit to interfere with their ireedom of movement.
On the other hand We have been asked to believe that a handful of
Muslims who were coming in a procession to the meeting, everywhere
gave provocation. I would ask the honourable members ojf this House
to draw their own conclusions on the facts of the case as to who gave the
provocation. ^ ,
m
MOTIONS OF NO^^OKFIDENCE,
[19th Sbpt.,
On the IGth evening I went to the Medical College Hospital ^ith some
injured persons after 6 p.m. and at .the junction of Wellington
Street and Bow Bazar, the truck in which I was carrying the injured
persons was stoned by the goondas. I would leave it to the House to
assume what kind of goondas they were that they threw stones at
the truck in spite of the Red CVoss sign on it. At the Medical College
Hospital I met Colonel Montgomery, i found out that there were as
many as 45 deaths recorded by the Calcutta Medical College on the 16th
and my information goes that out of 45, 35 were Muslims and 10 Hindus.
If the Muslims were the aggressors — and the Calcutta Medical College
is located at a place near about which there are localities inhabited
predominantly hy Muslims — I am sure the proportion of deaths would
be different on the 16th in the Calcutta Medical College. These are and
there are various other unerring circumstances. It is no use making
observations or throwing 6ing on any individual or any particular party.
Sir, there are facts and circumstances which will lead to the irresistible
conclusion that there are some persons — some braiiw behind who wanted
to create some trouble from Saturday. It may be that their intention
was not to spread a conflagration of this nature, but once the flame was
kimlled it was probably beyond the power of the authors to control a
conflagration, of (his nature.
Sir, 1 j)ersonally thought that today’s debate would centre round one
question, namely, tlu‘ inactivity of the police in Calcutta on the IGth
and 17th and some days thereafter. It is true that the police did not
shcjw activity on the JOth and 17lh. 1 rang up the Deputy Commissioner
of Pcdice, South, on the 17th, several times only to he told that the
Deputy Commissioner was out. It has now transpired that on the 17th
the IX'puty ('ommissioner of the South district was taken to some place
on a specific duty in spite of the fact that the 17th August, was the
greatest day of man-killing in Calcutta. I do not know for w’hat
purpose the Ih'puty Commissiomu- of Police was taken away from his
onlinary [)lace of duty. But as far as ] have been able to UvSeertain,
he was taken (iractically for window dressing. There were two Deputy
Commissioners of Police in the North IRstrict working during that period
in respect of which the number of peofde slauglitereii in (he North
District is simply appalling, I have heard horrible stories from Refugee
Camjis. It is not proper for me to give out those stories now
us I Ir. not want to rouse communal feelings again in the city of Calcutta.
But, Sir, it is surprising that particular jiluccs were besieged and held
for 11) or VI hours and tiie killing continued for 8, 10 or 12 hours in spite
of which the police did not come to the rescue of the attacked
places and persons. It appear.s to me. Sir, that it is necessary for the
Chief Minister to start an empiiry against the Commissioner of Police,
Calcutta, and I hope. Jsir, His Excellency the (tovernor of the province,
knowing him as I do, will certainly not hesitate to join tlie Hon’ble
Chief Minister in starting an enquiry against the Commissioner of
Police, Calcutta, for his inactivity.
Sir, after all that hae been said and done, I realise that mere words
will not improve the situation. Certain allegations have been made
against the Muslims throughout the province and I have no time to
reply to those allegations. I hope the Hon’hle Chief Minister will reply
to some. I have personal knowledge of some places of w*hich the facts
have been presented before the Assembly in a very distorted mimner,
particularly in Chamlpur w^here it was a peaceful procession and the
pr(wessionists were attackenf and brickbats w’ere thrown al them when
they were dispersing after the procession, as a result of which the
processionists letaliated. At Bancharampur also, which is a place wit^n
my subdivision, originally it was not a communal trouble. There the
trhole trouble started over the issue of a Ration Card hv a Hindu gentleman
who w’aa a member of the local Food Committee. It wras not
MOTIONS OT N<M!ONFIDENCE.
117
1946.}
*
an incident of a communal nature at all, in spite o! which a reign of
terror has been created by the Bindu offioerau in Bancharampur thana and
► respectable Muslims who were aotually mpoceni have b^n arrested for
a trouble of this nature. Similarly, “Sir, is the train incident referred
to by one of my honourable friends. Nobody knew that the culprita
might be Muslims. Nobody thought that the culprits could not be non-
Muslims. If perchance the culprits hajtpen to be Muslims and tbey are
punished by a court of law, the Muslims will have no grudge on that
score, hut 1 do not think it will he fair to cite a particular incident of
crime and give it a communal colouring unneces.Harily.
Sir, in conclusion 1 would place before tlie House, my humble views
that we should all be sorry for the ctniduct of those persons, educated
I> 4 *rsons who during this ( alcuttu Killing hud taken pari either directlv
or indirectly in man-slaughter, and 1 would further suggest that a wall
of shame should In* (instructed iu some conspicuous part of Calcutta to
commemorate the killing of a brother hv a brother in the great Calcutta
Eiiliiig.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNOU: Mr. Speaker, Sir. within the
short-time at my disposal it is not possible to plaoe the entire incident,
unhappy incident, tliat took place on those fateful days in the middle of
August, Sir, nor do I think it necessary to j)lace facts here, fur
this is not the jo'oper forum where we can decide matters after hearing
facts. If I place fact-' I know that these facts cannot fake the place of
legal proof or legal evidence*. I shall place facts iu one way and my
friends opp(tsit(’ will mak(‘ counter-allegations and theta* wdll he* no end
of if, hut. Sir, I want to place a few facts for expressing the feelings of
the Hindu public in this province. *
Sir, my friend the iluirble Mr. Sham.suddin Ahmod, was telling ua
that the Hindus by their speeches and conduct showed that they wanted
to see that the Direct Action Day hecame a failure. Sir, ihii
sort of argument is a double-edged argum«*nt and cuts hotli ways. I
can say that tin* Muslims wh<» declared Itlth to he the Direct Action
wanted and wi'.hed to *►(*(* it very siiecessful. So any ohstaele on their
way for a succehsful termination of tlie observance of the Direct Action
Day would be ver.\ much resented by Wiy and every Mussalman.
Sir, the morning of Itlth at about 7-1 o, one Muslim young man was
admitted in the Medical (Vdlege Hospital. 1 am told that he won
pulling a rickshaw against the (loclaration not to work or to suspend all
work by the Muslim League to observe the Direct Action Day, and be
was iiit by Muslim goondu.s and w'as brought by some Hindus :ind Sikhs.
(A Mi MiiKH i iioM (iovKHNMKNT UKNC iiKs : Sikhs?) That is tlic report which
I got from neW'spap(*r. There is record in tlu^ Medical College
Hospital and you may enquire of the physician or surgeon, who might
have been incharge at that time. It is the custom to enquire and to
take a short statement from the injured person. Hti might have told
something and if an enquiry is made it will ho proved that he was hit
by a Muslim — an over-zealous Muslim who naturally wanted to see that
the Direct Action Day was successful. So, Sir, the entry in the Medical
College Hospital or Campbell Hospital earlier does not show or prove
anything, nor any examination of farts is required to prove the utter
failure of the Ministry and for the matter of that the (iovemment of
Bengat^to maintain peace and order.
Sir, one here in this House, the Muslim Leaguer and the
Congressiles have admitted not only this afternoon, but also yesterday
in the Upper House that the police was inactive and the Hon’ble Mr.
Suhrawardy, who is the Home Minister and Minister in charge of law
and order had tried in his reply to shift the responsibility on the
Commissioner of Police. Sir, 1 ca^iot think of a harder expression by
118
MorroNs OP jro^NproENCE.
ri9TH Sm*.,
which the Ministry can he condemned. The Hbn’ble Mr. Suhrawardy
staiids self -condemned by expressing his utter helplessness in telling us
that he could not do anything, he could not pass orders on the Commis-
sioner of Police, He said in these words: The responsibility of
maintaining law and order in Calcutta is that of the Commissioner of
Police and no Minister and no higher authority can interfere with it.
Even if the Commissioner of Police will not perform his duties no
Minister will interfere. Imagine the helpless condition of the Minister
and the jKJopIe whose saftey is entrusted on the Ministry. Even if the
Commissioner of Police will sit tight, even if there will be unchecked
wholesale murder, the Minister and the higher authorities will not
interfere. Sir, if he knew that he has no power to command the
Commissioner of Police, why did he go only to court insult there in the
Control Room? His presence in the Control Room would not ensure
any safety to the people and citizens of Calcutta.
Sir, I admit that Hindus and Muslims were brutal alike during those
days, and J admit that there was no peace and tranquillity anywhere,
either in bye-lanes or streets, but what this Chief Minister and the
Council of Ministers and the Government did. It cannot be said that
they did not know anything about it beforehand. On the 14th, in this
House my esteemed friend the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali told us that
their motive was very good and they declared lOth to be a holiday to
avoid clash, conflict and disturbances. The resolution that was passed
by the Muslim Leag\ie in reply to the resolution of the Congress
also admitted that with the object of avoiding clash, conflict and
disturbances. Kith was declared a holiday. S(j it was know^n to us all
that there was a likelihood of breach of peace on the IGth.
Sir, my friend Mr. Abul Hashim was telling us that the Hon’ble
Mr. Suhraw'ardy was at the height of his genius on the Kith. Sir, I
do not know if he paid any compliment by saying so. If the poor
performance made by the llon’ble Mr. Suhraw’ardy on the Kith and
following days was the height of his genius, 1 must say he is devoid of any
genius at all.
Sir, there are other incidents. On Riipabani Cinema House, there
was an assault. This was an unprovoked attack at about 8 or 8-30 in
.the morning when it was not the time for procession on the 16th. There
were many other incidents, but I do not want to place them
before the House, because I think that that is not necessary. The
only point is whether there were disturbances, whether they were
know'll to Government, whether the Ministers apprehended disturbances
and whether the Ministers or for the matter of that Government or the
Commissioner of Police did their best to avert those disturbances. If
they knew it, they could have certainly averted those distxirbances only
if they would have placed pickets one day earlier, i.e., on the 15th.
My friend the Hon’be Mr, Shamsuddin was reading out from papers
certain matters which help us very much, because theso..are matters
which gave us clearly to understand that there would be a clash. If
these matters w'ere before the Government and the Ministers, they
should have been specially careful to make elaborate arrangements for
Police ^d Military to avert those disasters. But,^ Sir, they have not
done 80 , Our previous experience is that on the 8tb August 1942, there
was a resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee, and on
the 9lh all the top leaders of the Congress were arrested and the Congress
organisation was deolmred ille^l. Processions and meetings were
banned. Here, Sir, the League Party is in power in BengalTbut what
did ^ey do ? They by their action encouraged direct action. They are
remaining in the Government to encourage direct action — not direct
aetion, aa my friend the Hon*ble Mr. Shamsuddin has told ua againat
the Briiishara againa^ whom he waa pouring venom, but certainly
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
119
1M6.]
against the Hindus and the Congress. 1 cannot reconcile their policy
that ‘'they shall be in the Government and also declai’e and take recourse
to direct action”. When Congress declared direct action, they at once
went out of office. (The Hon’ble Mr. Shamsdodin Ahmed: You do not
know facts; direct action has not been declared. You will learn
hereafter.) If only the observance of Din'ct Action Day produced such
a result, I do not know what will be the fate of Bengal if direct action is
actually taken up and commenced.
Mr. MUHAMMAD RAFIQUE: Sir, I find that here in this House
unlike other places that I have been accustomed to we can make all
^orts of statements — correct, half-correct and incorrtH*! — with impunity.
The question before us today is not as to how many Hindus were killed
and liow many Muslims were killed; the ejuestion before us today is
how far Government is responsible for the occurrence of Kith to 19th.
In order tt) assess that we have got t(> go bark to the day when Direct
Action re8oluti(»n was passed in Bombay. From that day ^u will find
that propaganda liad been carried on by the Congress and Hindu press.
Meetings have been held not once a month, or once in every
three months, but pra(ticall\ eviTy du\ in all parts of the city of
('alcutta exciting the Ilimln youths that under no circumstances should
they give in. Again when the meeting of the ItUli was announced, two
days betore that, meetings, private and public, were held in all
corners of Calcutta and the young men, educated young men, w’ere
given to understand that if" they once gave in, Ihikistau would be
established. In onler to ussi^ss the cause of the riot beginning from
the Kith, you have to take these facts into consideration. Leaflets in
lakhs and lakhs were distributed purnorting to have come from the
Muslims exciting the Muslims to assault Hindus. These leaflets, 1 can
say without any fear of contradiction, were issued by the Hindu
Pre.ss — iinn-Mtislim pi ess. The Hindu young men wore given to
understand that 16th is a day which will deiidc whether Pakistan
would he estaiilished or m»t. We have alrea<ly seen examples of these
leaflets which have been just produced before tin* House by my friend
Mr, Jalan as having been printed from 4o/l, Itatu Sarker Lane — a
locality where the Hindus predominate. (Laugliter from the Congresa
Benches. I 1 have g<»t a grievance against tin* Chief Minister, becauao
he gave an assuranee to us that there would be lU) trouble on the I6th,
perhaps relying on the fact that wdienever (.’ongress says that they
would attack, they remain non-violent and whenever they say that they
would remain non-violent, they resort to violence. Perhaps he thought
that these were mere throats and the (’ongress threats do not
mean what are utteretl in the Press and on the platform. Had we
known that a well-planned scheme has been made to crush the Muslim#
on the Kith, we would not have attended the meetings on the maidan
in lakhs and lakhs leaving our children and womenfolk at home to the
mercy of the Hindu goondas to be butchered. I have visited many
localities on the Kith. I went to maindan at 8 o’clock and I was told
that w’hile the processionists were passing through Ezra Street,
brickbats were thrown upon (hem. Perhaps the perpetrators of this
crime thought that if they threw brickbats on the young men who
were going to attend the meeting, the meeting would not be successful)
little realising that this conflagration might take such a huge form
unknown in nistory. *"The entire rcjsponsibility rests with the leaders
of the Congress Party and the Hiifdu press which had Ixjen for the past
few days ^oing on preaching and publishing horrible news exciting the
Hindu society. I can just give you a personal experience. While I
was passing through the Bow Bazar Street, I found a young man being
dragged inside a lane. I asked some persons who appeared to be
educated Hindu young men of bbadrolog class to let him go« telling
them that I would *keep him all sight. They did not pay any heed to
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[19th Sjbpt.,
my request. On the other hand, they attempted to drag out my driver
who happened to be a Muslim, and damaged my car with brickbats.
It pained me to see that they were all educated young men and spoke
nice English. They belonged to the University and big offices. I was
surprised at their conduct. We were under the impression that the
Calcutta riots were the work of the hooligans, but I found that these
riots had been dcdiberately engineered and perfectly planned by the
edueate<l Hindu l)ha<lralogs, in order to smash the Muslims so that they
could never attend the meeting in thousands to make it a success. Sir,
long before this meeting w'as held in the Maidan I was asked by some of
rny friends in the Calcutta (’orporation as to what would happen on the
Ifjth, and said : fV OTt i
It merely shows how prepared they were. Sir, my friend has said
that the first man that was admitted into tlie Calcutta Medical College
was a rickshaw puller, I can tell him that Muslim rickshaw pullers
were slaughtered in fifties. In one place they were asked to come out
with the assurance that their life would not be in danger and they
would he remove«l to a safe place. They were taken out one by one
and done to death. (Cries of “shame, shame”, from the Govern-
ment benches.) You cannot continue with this show. If we knew
^hat there was going to be a riot and there were preparations made by
the Hindus, we would not have declared the IGth August a public
holiday and asked the Muslims to participate in the public meeting at
the maidan leaving their womeuiolk, children, hearth and home un-
defended to full an eas> prey to this well-planned hooliganism of the
other community.
My friends have said that the Hindu localities were left unguarded.
He is not correct in saying so. Some ol my friends also said that
Hindus were slaughtered defenceless, which I repudiate. (Interruptions.)
Tak<* the rase of Tiljala and Ihuk Circus ureas where Hindus
in thousands were given protection. (Interruptions.) Hindu shops in
Zakariah Street were not touched. Tlie> are all intact. Dr. Sen and
Captain flupta’s di.spensuries were also left untouched in that area.
Sir, you will he pained to hear — perhaps \ou are already aware — that
the Wellington Square mosque just in front of ]>r. H. C. Hoy’s house
had been desecratcul. Mr. Julan said that huge sums of money were
taken h\ Muslims to re.scue the Himlu.s. This may be true, but the
lives of the Hindus who hud to pay money w'ere made safe by the Muslims
who took the money. Hut 1 may tell him that money was extorted from
the Muslims and tliey were ashUied that the> would be rescued to a place
of safety; but tbe promise was not kept and the> were all murdered.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir,
we are meeting here to di.seuss thi.s motion under the shadow' of a great
calamity from which (^ilcutta has just suffere«l. Sir, after we have witness-
ed the communal frenzy unleashed in Calcutta and what a havoc it did cause,
I hope the members of this House will rise up to the sense of their respons-
ibility us members ami as representatives of the j)eople of Bengal and will
face witjiout passion the problem thev are out to solve, namely, to find a
way for the purpose of giving Bengal a peaceful and happy future. (A
vou'K KHOM THE Trk.asi’RY Benches : '‘Pliysician heal thyself.) Sir, as a
member of this House privileged to represent a joint constituency of both
Hindus and Muslims 1 record my deepest sense of grief at the senseless
oarnagf) which has taken a toll of lives of thousands of Hindus and Muslims
fdike. What are the causes underlying this carnage Sir, I know that the
Hindus and Muslims of Beaga! want always to live together and in fact
they have been living together for centuries. Sir, it is not to the interests
of the Hindus end Muslims of Bengal to exterminate each other, but alas,
1946 .]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
iti
Sir, there are forces from outside, there are the adventurers for tlie expan-
sion of the Empire in this country who would not even condescend to speak
the language of the Bengali Hindus and Muslims after years and years of
their residence in this land who would rather have us divided.
Then again, Sir, it is from England that the Constitution Act was
promulgated and we are w(^rking and meeting here unfortunately under that
constitution. They would rather have us divided .so that they may mislead
us into fratricide and tlirive ujMJn t)ur divisu>n for their self-aggrandisement
in world politics. Sir, that is a fact which we cannot overhaik and to our
utter shame they rear ui> sucivsslully hy their manu'uvring communal
electorates ami communal organisations and create communal leaders who
become convenitMit and willing tools in the hands of the British and
perpetuate British sponsored division amongst us. The sinister game costs
us blood and tears. It costs them nothing. We lose all and they gain an
Empire at onr cost. Tlie real enemy lurks behind his ereatures and we
wallow in the horror of brother stubbing bi(»tlier to the triumph and glory
of the British Kmiiire. While we spill blood, the Britishers smoke their
leisurely pipe and perhujis chuckle to .see us so succe.ssfully befooled. They
witue.vs in India a stage, wlii«‘h has been lelt centuries behind in England
w'hen the worst orgies took place between the Uouuin ('utholics and the
Protestants. Whereas we want unity, whereas the Congress as u party
uork for the good of all alike, the lemlers of the Mu.slim League want divi-
sion ami play the Brtish game. That is the tragedy. The Leaders of the
Muslim lieague would ul.so rather m»t comlesceml to speak the mother tongue
of the Bengali Hindus and Muslims m»r understand the sorrows unhappy
Bengal. For they are only eager to .score their bargains in the high
politics of India at the cost of the blood ot Bengal. Sir, neither the Bengali
Himliis nor the Muslims want to exterminate each other in u senseless game
ot power jiolitics. They w'nnt bread and fr<*edom p(pially for all. Why
then this stupid killing of eacli other.''
Sir, one of the im^tliods pinplovetl was with a view' to terrorise Bengal
and hold it as a blackmailing score for the puipose of extortion elsewhere.
Till* siMulb-d l)i lect Action Day as observed in our Proviiiee on the IGth
of August liad resulted in the gruesome tragedy in the city of (!alcutfu. It
i.s surprising (A vuk k chom thk (iovrmnmknt inNi iiKs ; It is a tragedy
all over India, i It i.s not a tragedy all over India but one in Bengal.
It is .surprising t4iat it shoiild not have ociMirred to the Chief Mmintor
who is in cliurge of tbe Department of laiw and Order and his Council of
Ministers that they could not be tlie (‘ustodians oi law and order and of the
protection ami ])eaco ol the ]Teoplc of all communities of tliis province a«
well as the protagoni-'ts of direct action at one and the same lime. They
should have obtained free bands for themseives fioin their Quaid-e-Azam
Mohuiiiined All Jinnah to keep Bengal cmtside the pale of their so-called
direct action if for no other reason than ihi.s that their Ministry already
hold the province for the Muslim League*. No direct action was needed
in Bengal unless it was for the purpose of a coinmunul war of extermination
against those who did not .see eye to eye with the leaders of the Muslim
League. They are guilty of incredible stuj»idit,\ if tliey fail to see thin
simple course of common sense and reason.
In connection with the happenings of Calcutta it is the Bengal Ministry
and neither the Hindu nor the Muslim community who were on the dock
today; for it is this Mini.stry w^hich by the heiiffit of their stupidity and
Vicompetence, if not by their nefariou.s complicity, have been responsible
for the slaughter of both the Hindus and Muslims. It is futile now splitting
the hair and quarrelling on their failure to give ]»rotectiou to the Hindus.
If they failed to give protection to the Hindus, they etjually failed to give
protection to the Muslims and there is no recompense to the bereaved
lamiliee of either community. It is futile now splitting the hair and
quarrelling as"* to who killed how many. If you are stupid enough to rouse
42$
MOTIONS OF m-<)ONFlJ>ENCE.
[19m Sept.,
the Frankenetein of communal passions, the consequences beyond your
control are inevitably bound to follow (The Hon’ble Mr. H. S.
Suhrawardy: Hear, hear!) I am glad to find the Chief Minister agreeing
at least on this point.
Sir, the politics of the Muslim League leaders is based not on love and
brotherliness of the human being, for such noble and humane sentiments
are not allowed to find a place in their outlook. They keep on fanning the
lowest communal passions as egged on to do by the cunning ingenuity of
their Britisii masters under whose patronage they flourished. Their unceas-
ing appeal is to the selfishness and greed, to the basest Tommunal passions
and separatism. That is not playing with politics. It is playing with the
blood and lives of others.
Within the limits of my time, vSir, I do not wish to go into details.
Mr. Suhrawardy surely is not a child not to be able to realise that the
minds of vast sections of the people were panic-stricken regarding the
direct action in Bengal and quite naturally so. Direct action by the party
in power is an unheard-of tning anywhere in the world. Against -^whom
could such direct action be? Mr. Suhrawardy roused his Frankenstein but
could not control it. That was precisely what happened in Calcutta.
Mr, Suhrawardy 'k conduct and failure to keep his assurance about the peace-
ful observance of the Direct Action Day might be briefly contrasted with
the conduct and actions of his fellow League Ministry of Sind.
Mr. Suhrawardy and the Bengal Ministry have not shown that sense of
responsibility evinced by their colleagues in Sind on the same occasion.
They did not profit by this plain fact but took the responsibility for what
has happened in Bengal in contradistinction to Sind. Or, are they in search
of a scapegoat for setting up a defence case before the Commission appoint-
ed by themselves? If what Mr. Suhrawardy now^ says in support of his
plea of “not guilty” is to be taken as true, that plea would be tantamount
to placing Governor Burrows and the (Commissioner of Police on the dock.
Incidentally, the conduct of all these officers deserve scrutiny. It would
be useful to contrast the part played by these officers in contradistinction
to the part played by the Ghiei Secretary of Sind (At this stage the
red light was on.) May I, wdth your permission, Sir, finish my sentence
with saying that it is today an undeniable fact that the present Ministry
does not enjoy the confidence of vast sections of the people of Bengal. If,
Sir, the existence of the present Ministry in office means the wintinuance
of panic, it is their duty to quit and help in the installation of a Ministry
which would enjoy the confidence of all sections of the people of the province
of Bengal, if peace is really their objective in view.
With these w^ords I commend these two motions to the acceptance of
the House.
May I, Mr. Deputy Speaker, offer a word of correction with reference
to the speech you have delivered on the floor of the House?
Mr# DEPUTY SPEAKER: I could have allowed you if you had time,
but now your time is up and you have also finished your speech.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURI: Mr. Speaker, Sir,
mmi tpin wnm *r9nr wwcki w 4^
•rtwni fir: ^ win
tftftrif wHi figiR f fipr cmm wfciR i viit wci!!
cW 'itcw wm 4? f>f firfe^ wm to
cftcf »niTOf 4»ii ^ w Him fbci wmcfs? ^
cfm wmrw mi wn tnw *tti wwn cm
1 ^.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
m
’Wrti <?r ?c«% ^ finm i ^Kit irwl fR»nf
fyi^.yrarfm, Stofw, to ^ w nii 1TO»
5CI fr^-yron:^ irv i c»r irw oscn Brtircf ffronr ’ftf i
at c^r =TTtTO (TO, >5 (TO ? TO CTO ctfTO raff fi: (Tor -rft»
'3?T^ c^m^oi TO?, (TR -irrrr <4^ i tocw ■nfw totto
TO ?nTO”-‘^^ 5 iTOr f? c^”— f^ TO Eft*!t cJT^cvr fkwc% i TOTtfw toscw »nf
OT TITO TTCW^ tot tfTt-t *nrT TITO nilMf® jftM TOf^T I TOR TO f>R*
TOP ^ CTtC^, TO ifR TOTT JJ’TTOI sttTOT fTf*! Ttot 1^ TOT TOR iTOTOt^
toot TOi Tf rrm f%cii I
^¥tn TO TOn F^KTOTOT TTt^ I TO-st r!R-TTiTO'*Tfl TOl t’cR TO r’^S— TO tjXRI
TO CTTT TO TOTO rItot TO TOCf I TO?»tR3 TOTT ftTtf I fVl
TOC^ TO ’tf^T (TOTS RTllR I TO ctl? ^TfR 'tfilTn TO farfiin ^nflR
ftTO m^f 1 RicipR c®^ 8 ?t®R clt^Tnr^TT to tojt i rtt ftff^
TOM <RTR (R3TOT C^TTR TOR TOd?« RTTt '(J^T^S cTOR (SR^ TOM^T fTTOW^Mf
RTMT I TO 4^ cT TOn Sin tort mtoot ntc^ c?R *n mPmct totot tfcTOT aelf-orltl-
cinm T1 ROTTTCTOn R?R I TOUTT TOTto^ %? C^T CTO OT TOT f^lT
TO fror^ROT T^TTR TCM CTO (RMTO RTOtT Tfffl I CT TOl TO CMR— TO TOl TTO
Rtlx -^\ 4rR Ti Tsp mo ^ : s\r:^ <nvil war? m crt^t rr tIt r c^lROT toct, Uit^at
Calcutta Killii^. '51 cTO^ Tfr MToM RMi TO 4t TO WfC^ Tf i
RtMTOl ROM CTO C*^^T C'fCMO CTO 4^ r^TfRtCO T^TTf^l fTOrR--Mfm fTOTf
I
'mfo rim:«R 3fMi OMC'S Mt m, MtitftcR RMi T^ri 6R m, tS-fM m Ittoi (RR *rfT
mi CfTCT TO TOT RTT^ bit I RtTO! 'SHO TltMl CTOR RfOTt^ RMl I (R TTtRl
ctrOTc^cmcRTO. CT m;»mr s fT^to rcrItot, ct mr^R trotr 'Q TltarmT fr^-
ctp tr^ ctoot flORjm cn^ m,’TO ctoot Tti c^cm f^crr rnionrc®,
JTtftOT mi I 4^ 0^' Tc;TO TfMl OMM otfo 'rMsi TCT TO TfiirT^ (RCTOMl CMCR (R
TOl5 Tt’Tl (RCi WXRf? CTTCM, CM C'fRCTO RRRl RfoTflU f-f ^11 I RRR TCM Ot(R TtCT TO !fj
Tft^t.a^—TOTr ltd? T^ijo (RTTR^acMi rcto toi cro tfRc-ro cto t mtot
wj^ OpiR TOl fTOl ‘■JR TOX^ TOl CflTO WRofo f TO1 tM TOMITOl fMtl
TOl TCTO ctimVr To Of lot *n;i, tot Tim to— isritoi r 'o cir^itTOTCTT
mr*frc«T toot ctm cmtTO ? 4? co ^tomfo ot^^i c^-r cotto rotm toct, to toi i
coFiTO ^rvfro, ms TO, tooi to (OTm cto 4? TOf^m cto oiri ctto Sir vti to,
TO ^ R 1 CTO TOft m^OF^cro T[TOt<iin^ TOOT TOl? StMR TO, ¥ 3 ^^ trTO-R TO^ I ^Ito-R
CTO R'^tTO RTft m I fTO R’iRTSR ms -ROT RR TOF CTO tIV TSTR CMIR CTO «rti Tr
tff%TO RTO TO r TfTTf^TO’t TORT Tr tfCTO TOftTI TTO CT mTRt« 5TTO 31 TR
RTO TOOT T ^ ffTO TOfftraf TOl f^ CTO I CTOR TORI? RRIKiTOTt TOTOT fsfCi^-f
CTO 'Q CTStR TOfOR TORfTR R'tmfRl RRT RXI tR I C-pSlW fTf^ifTO T1 tIRTO
TOR TORI WaiCf--^ TTfTO TOOT flW^ CTOH (RJ TO I -ftTO TOR !RfV5 TOR TO
4 t C;f*rR TORITOiRTTORI WK ITRtyTO 4 ¥M 1 R^WR toot R 1 l TOTftTORfB^,
TORI TOtrs RtOT fR TO TO[Tr9«^ RTtROT RtX^ lRl CTR MTOHR^ItOT fWTORl Rfl
Cto « tS-fro R C R TO^3 ^IRFTOT TOl R^IJR TORR TOtTS CTOOR f% T RfTt«lR!t RftRCTO
(rto No Confidanoo— ^TO No Confidenoo— No Confidenoo to, 4S1
f^RlgWlRlTO TOOT TOR TOCTOR, 4 TOf R i g iW R t C R T TOR tfTOR I toIr RHi ▼!!
TORR ^ TOi TO I lTOTO R 13 TORI TO! CTOf ITOTO Mtn TORI flf® TOfl MlOT
TOTOW R%ff« llWr TO(M> TO fiR tWi TO, TOW RTOTO 1ff% (flff TOOT-< cm
m
MOTIONS OF no-confim;nce.
[19th Sept.,
TO TO1 ^ f W IrtCTn TOfSfCV TO! ¥91 TOC^^Wltf fiMTt ^ TOT9
« ail^a ffm tfFffro snro f 9f totw f¥« cf$ i
^ CTfC’PT *rt#t ▼W9Tir TOtrW? Jff'lfrjRil C¥f^ t^CTO ^ • 4t
*tf<ft^ tfltTOl TOW] TO C¥t^?
(At this stage the red light ^as lit.)
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURI: One minute please,
jjt arr^n^f^ vxi *rrf¥rm ^ to? wi], »prs ?f^m cf»r ctoto ^f??^
rr? ^?? to f^ror? ?i ’frlVro ^ : ?fTc?? to ^firTro i ^ 's^tuoto 's
^ ?ltf?1TOf *fTlt WSVS 5? TOW? I '3?TC'5^ JjTOT«f' ?ft«TCW ?5n
rOTi «RT *rrtrt I ??, ??f?? cTO plan c?TO f^?T? ’Tf ^
rcTO I »r?m? (TOt*ff?^ ?JtTO 'Jit c? toti ’ttf^ i ^a?fpr? cron^ to
^ t ij it wc ?? TO5? ♦tf?«r5 TOCff? I
Mfi Gs C. D. WILKS: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Anglo-
Indian Group, I rise to strongly condemn the complete breakdown of
Government machinery for the maintenance of law and order during the
ill-fated days of last month. No individual, no community, no political
party, in fact, no Government, Can view with equanimity this failure to
maintain law and order. The breakdown was evident to the man in the
street. The police failed to maintain law and order. The militarj^ were
called out too late. Arson, looting and murder held sway in the city for
48 hours. It was apparent to all and sundry that the situation was out of
control by midday on Friday and, speaking for my Group, I would like the
Hon’ble Chief Minister to tell us why the military were not called out on
Friday,
The Hon’ble Chief Minister, when replying to a debate in the Upper
House on the Ibth August, stated that his action in declaring a public holiday
on the Kith August was motivated by tlie desire to prevent disorder.
Therefore, he must liave foreseen the possibilities of disorder and, under
these circumstances, will he explain what s])ecial police precautions were
taken and if the military were asked to stand by in case of need?
On the other hand, we liuve been amazed at the attacks from the Oppo-
sition Benches on the failure of the police to take action on this occasion
and, in particular, their criticism of the police in not making use of fire-
arms. In contrast, their public attacks against the self-same guardians
of law and order for their attein])ts to prevent breaches of the Law in
November lust year can hardly be reconcilwl. This perhaps lyay be an
explanation of the police inaction on this occasion. In other words, Sir,
“you eaniiot eat your cake and have it.” The police are in an invidious
position and it is essential that at all times we must have an impartial force
so that the public support may be behind them. Here I would like to tell
the Hon*ble Minister in charge of this portfolio that manners and
dealings of this force towards the general public are not beyond question,
and I would point out that these men should he the servants of the general
public and not the masters. In any case, it hat been proved without doubt
that the existing police force is inadequate for a city of the size of Calcutta
and it must be augmented immediately.
From the speeches made Wfore the House so far, I regret to remark
that all speakers seem to have overlooked one major point and that is, what
win be the fate of this prcrvince in the event of the present Ministry falling?
I would like the honourable members on the Government benches to realise
that they have done their utmost to shield their Ministry, but in so doinf;
theqr have help^ to fan the flames of communal feelings whereas the CMti-
gi^Qon of the Hon’hle Chief Minister in no uncertain terms by the Opposition
MOTIONS (MP NO-OONPIDMCE.
m
im.]
Sir, I do not stand kere to make excuses for one side or the otker. I
represent a very small minority group of this House and I would like to
point out the fate of this province if this Ministry should fall. The leaders
of the two major communities of this Province should hesitate before worse
happens. The seed of commimalism has Wen sown on fertile soil and has
borne ripe fruit. Itiot and arson will be the order of the day, life and
property will no longer be safe and the fair name oT this province will ever
remain besmirched for ever in history. Are we all to permit thisl*
An alternative to this Ministry is the enforoeinent of section Govern-
ment. This enforcement would be di.sustrou8 to the province.
(At this stage the member reached his time-limit and was allowed two
minutes.)
We have just emerged from an Adminisliation of this type and its ills
have hardly left the proviure. Gur country is on the eve of independence
and we, therefore, must strive at all costs to uphold a parliamentary form
of Government. Heversiou to section 98 therefore would put the clock
back a hundred years.
We are gathered here today as the elected n'presentatives of the |H^opie
of Bengal. We all ^lesire that peace and prosperity should be the lot of our
people. Therefore, it is our bounden duty to stuily the present position in
a spirit of conciliation and not recrimination. In the next few weeks a
commission of eminent Judges will sit to enquire into the recent happenings
and, therefore, it is not up to us at this stage to pciint the finger of accusa-
tion at any individual or party. It would he difficult, in any case to fix
responsibility on any individual during the eonlimiance of the administra-
tion under the lIKio Act winch divides responsibility for the inuintenanoo
of law and order. This position is misatistactorv hut it is inevitable until
the new Constitution has been framed. A chuugt* of heart rather than a
change of leatlership is recpiired to save Bengal troiu anarchy. Therefore
1 call upon the present Ministry and all lionourablc nuunbers of tbe House
to save what good will there is left and to go all out to form a coalition — a
Coalition Ministry of all parties including the minorities so that good
Government may nrevail. Inetiiciency and graft must he struck out with
a firm hand, but this hand must not be coniinunal, To prosper, Bengal
requires a Government <d the people, by the pi^ople and for tlie jieople, liut
to be successful any change in Ministry must he through negotiation and
not through defeat. It a great tiling. 1 ask of the memhers that with
India standing on the threshold of the House of Freedom and the doors
wide open to receive her surely each and all of us of her sons must make
this sacrifice, so that Freedom may be ours. (Applause.)
JYOTlBAtM: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I feel J must participate^
in tKis debiilcT as a rejiresentative of a wwking class constituency composed
of both Hindus and Muslims and let us pay a tribute to the working class of
Calcutta and its suburbs for keeping comparatively ahaif from the carnage
that has disgraced our city and blackened most horribly our political
life.
I shall not attempt to ^epict the savagery c.owMirdice and iiihuraanityN
to which thousands of people descended, but I would ask all memliers of
tbis House and my countrymen outside in all seriousness not b» forget for
a moment that whatever we say or do must be w ith a view to salvage, at
once and with all the good wTll, political insight and the spirit and strength
of our people, their doubtless determination to fight imnerialist trii^kery
and win the freedom for which both Hindus and Muslims nunger and thirst
^d ache in eve^ limb. In Bengal for life and liberty the only way^ out
is a coalition ministry with our backs turned on the ^Europeans with a
progressive programme. Tbe method of achieving it is not through votes
but by sitting round a table. Let us put first things first, and before we
pilloiy the Ministry — which hks an enormous amount of acts of omission
[IdlH Sk.,
MOTIONS OF NO-COlJFIOEJfCE.
+
and commission to nccount for—let us see the ^rime mover in .dastardlv
ffame against us, let us with all our indignation realise that it is i^itisn
Imperiaiisin our enemy No. 1 which keeps us down, keeps us divided ^d
xnaudens our people and now proudly maintains in Calcutta a misei^bie
desert peace that might break any moment
Every time previously we have had a communal riot we have rightly
condemned Imperialism as its main instigator and seen in our people onlv
hopeless, pathetic pawns in imperialist hands. There is no reason to think
differently now. 1 accuse with all the patriotic force I caH’^ command the
main criminals who sit connplacently whether in Whitehall or New Delhi
or Calcutta’s government House and pull strings and make our leading
political parties walk into their trap. What a neat game the Cabinet
Ministers played for the last six months, mouthing honeyed phrases luring
the Congress once and Lreague another time. They announced proposals
which are capable of varied interpretations. Finally thev instead
of leaving our country with their army gives an award which gives
neither freedom, nor democracy nor self-determination but is calculated
to perpetuate our conflict ana poision the minds of one section of
our people against another and which finally led to the cataclysm that
happened in Calcutta. Coupled with all this I ask, Sir, what were the
secret plans discussed at the Governors’ conference presided over by the
Viceroy after which the Sind Governor disallowed the declaration of holiday
on the 16th August and the Bengal Governor did the contrary in Calcutta
the seat of British business. How was it that Government had literally
abdicated in Calcutta for two days and who saw to it that the police
abstained from their ordinary duty and helped in loot and arson? We have
known how the police break up strikes. We have seen how they acted on
Rashid Ali Day to disperse our revolutionary youth; that is how they act
in suppressing people’s upsurge. We have experience how in 1942 tin*
police let loose tlieir terroristic rule without reference to the Ministry. But
this was an occasion when the people fell apart and they realised their rule
would be strengthened. Hence it wdll n(>t avail these autwrats to take
shelter behind constitutional procedure. Would they have done the same
thing if Englishmen were waylaid or their property looted or military
trucks burnt? This is what is palpable and meets the eye, but one can
only guess the dialwlic method of the C. 1. I), in working up the riot
because presumably they knew of the preparations that were afoot. There-
fore I assert, Mr. Deputy 8i»eaker, this malevolent neutrality of the
Governor and the Ihdice Commissioner was deliWrately planned.
Mr. Suhrawardy and his Ministers are attempting to say that their
business is only to give (jrders and it is the Police Commissioner’s to carry
it out. Rut Mr. Suhrawardy knows, saw* it with his own eyes, felt it on
the wind screen of his car on the noon of the 16th August that the crowds
were getting out of control. It was his business to see that the Police
Commissioner under him carry out his duty. But there is nothing to show
the Prime Minister acting in a determined way. Is he thinking of suspend-
ing the Police Commissioner or other Deputy Commissioners who failed
to do their duty ? He lacks courage because be knows* his own failure and
the miserable failure of his Government. But the Muslim League Ministry
is not sepi^te from the Muslim ^ague Party and the latter must bear
responsibility for its acts of omission and commission. In spite of every-
thing I maintain that imperialist policy could never have landed us in this
catmitrophe but for the p^ played by the League and the Congress in
falling victims to the evu conspiracy.
Thus I shall cite in brief tite responsibility of the League first : —
(1) The '^Asad'* on 15th August editorially explained the significance of
the iSth August as the day when the battle for Palnsthan begi^,
MOTIONS OF NO^OXFIDENCE. ilf
(2) The All-Iadia League Ceuncil characterised both the British and
l^ngreas as enemies.
: (3) Maulana Akram Khan and Mr. Osman reminded the Mualims that
!n the sacred month of Kamzaii Jehmi against the kahra had been under-
nken.
(4) The kinght-errant Mr, Nazimuddin repeatedly emphasised that
dnslims were not pledgtnl to non-violence.
(5) The brave Mr, Suhrawardy declared he would declare Bengal in*
lependent and defy the authority of the centre if the British Government
aade a unilateral settlement with the Congress.
(H) The All-India licague (Vuncil’s Direct Action was meant to force
he Congress to accept the Cabinet Missitm’s statement of May IGth which
▼ives freedom to none and also to accept compulsory grouping without the
/ote of the people.
(At this stage the nieml>er reached his time-limit.)
Sir, may I have a few more minutest
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I don’t think I shall be jiistitied in giving
,ou more time.
Mr. JYOTI BA8U: Sir, Mr. Speaker t(dd me that he woiild allow me ID
ninutes. Would you kindly give me two nunutes more!'
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No, one minute.
Mr. JYOTI BASU: I want two minutes more.
Is it to be wondered, Sir, that a section (d the Muslims took their leaders
ciiou.sly and niatle juactical prefiarations for the Direct Acti<tn and were
cd to a fratricidal strife by whi(di the British forged fresh chains for us
ind only British life and projierty became sate an<l Hitidus and Muslims
looked at one another with tear and distrust. On the other hand the
['ongresH instead of organising an all-out offensive against British Imperia-
lism has accepted the British plan knowing that the British army is not
leaving, the priuce.s will have a dominant voice and that ultimate power
remains with the British. Tlius the Congress face the opposition of the
Muslim League within the British scheme and has to prepare jaditically and
psychologic^ly against it. That is why the Muslim U'ague Direct Action
is taken as a threat to the Congress and a sin’cesstul hartal is looked upon
with disfavour. So pa.ssions are roused in Desapriya Bark against the day
on the 15th August.
Even now with: all our experience, we say that British troops cannot
give UB peace; curfew order, se<*tioii 144 and Huppressiem of civil liberties
will not bring back brotherly trust and fellow feeling, Api)ealM to the
Viceroy to get rid of this Ministry will not help and neither will the attempt
to overthrow^ it solve our problems. Because “what next” the people will
ask. It is of no use the league making excuses that witliout coalition at
the Centre no coalition in Bengal i.s possible. It must realise what
straits our people have been reducefl to under a one-party Ministry.
It is only in a spirit of patriotism that the ptditica! narties can Wether
save Benj^l by working for a Coalition Ministiy^ a Ministry which will
break with the Europeans And follow as I have stated a programme of pro-
? 'res8ive lef^islation, living wages, protection of unions, abolition of land-
ordism, fair minimum price of jnte, adeijuate food and cloth for all, com?*
plete civil liberties tf&d release of remaining political prisoners,
d /
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[J9rH SfflT.,
W., .b ~i -oi. I" »x.’S
reHoIution of iKMJonfideiKe. - Hindus and Muslims— to mobilise
LT'h «„ o peace It « tiL for then, to say,
Twin shal we raise <mr hands af^ainst our brothers; n^er never
wf lolerate those who speak in terms of Hindus and Muslims and make us
fight”.
Adjournment.
The House was then adjourned at 5-25 p.m. 2-15 p.m.
20th September, 1940, at the Assembly House, Caleutta.
on Friday, the
1946.]
m
Proceedinft of the Bengei Legulative Aisembiy utemUed
under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 19S5*
Tm Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Friday, the
20th September, 1946, at 2-20 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. NriitL Amin), in the Chair, 8 Hou‘blo
Ministers and 236 Members.
Motions of No-Confldence.
[The debate on the motions of no-confidt'iut* iij^ainst tlie ('ouncil of
Ministers and against the Chief Minister was resumed.]
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m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20 th Sbw.
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Mr. M. A. H. I8AAHANI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I associate myself with
the words of sincere sympathv expressed l)y some of the sjieakers for those
4rho have suffered in life and property as a result of the disturbances
between the 16th and 20th of August. I welcome the motiou of no-oou-
fidenoe because it has given us 'an opportunity to explode the myths so
sedulously broadcast and spread by persons who appear to be aiudouB to
make capital out of the xuia^ of our people.
im,]
MOTIONS OF NO^NFIDENCE.
181
A great deal has been said by Hindu leaders of all |)olitical parties and
prominence has been given in the Congress press to the absurd contention
that the declaration of the Direct Action Day was sohdy responsible for the
happenings in Calcutta on the Kith of August. No houesi man, to which-
ever political school of thought he may belong, can deny (hat the witlest
publicity was given to the fact that the Direct Actitui Day was declared for
(he pur]K)8e of convening peaceful meetings (»f Muslims throughout the
length and breadth of India to explain to them the two resolutions passed
at Bombay by the Council of the Alblndiu Muslim League. It is notluiig
hut a travesty of truth to say (hat thi^ day was dei lared in order to create
friction between the two major nations that inhabit i)ur sulMamtinenl. It
cannot he denied that the President of the All-India Muslim League and
every prominent leader of the organisation throughout India made it clear
through appeals and statements (hut Muslims should observe the day as
the day of peaceful hartal. It is absurd to suggt‘sl that if the Musluus
meant direct action in the literal sense (hey would have .selected a city like
(‘alcuttu where they are in a minority of three to oiu' in numbers and from
the point of view of intluence ami control iiver the citv, they do not count
at all. If Muslims had meant direct action they would have selected better
ground to launch it. It has been proved hevond doubt that Muslims
throughout Bengal and in India remained peaceful on that day.
Sir, soon after the Muslim League declared the Kith of August as a day
of hartal for Muslims throughout India it became increasingly clear that
hostile organisations and a section of the Calcutta jiress woulil not allow tha
day to pass off without resistance in every possible manner to
frustrate tlie objects of the hartal. The experience of the past within recent
months in ('ah’utta was that every form of coercion and fona* lia<l been
employed unhesitatingly almost on ever^V occasion to enforce ItartaU
demonstrations and strike on peaceful citiziois and sjjeciully upon the
unwilling Muslims. Transport services were j)araly.sed, essential services
sufTered, employees of all rank.s and services were prcviuitcd from attemling
their w»)rk. Kveii public servants and Ministers were not allowed to attend
their (iffiees. The Muslims did not do anything to jeopardise the course of
these okservanecs. The meanest intelligence will m»t cr(‘di( Mr. Suhrawardy
with the Ljolhurdine.ss of sending away tlie Muslims in their thoiisumls
from their homes to attend the fmhlie me«‘ting in the Maidan leaving their
women and children to the nuTcy of hhadrohxjf. and their dupes, to he
butchered mercilessly in their absence. Had it been suspected tlial smdi
trouble was in the offing different arrangements would have been made.
Frankly, the Muslims were taken unawares and rrunpletely off tli(‘ii guard,
with the result that they had to pay heavily kith iu life and j)njpci(,\.
1 would have moved a vote of censure against Mr Sulirawardv aiul even
demanded that he should he tried puhliclv and executed had T l>een con-
vinced that Mr, Suhrawardy was aware of wdiat wa** going to befall Muslims
on the 16th of August and in spite of it had not taken necessary pri‘cjmtion»
to defend them. I congratulate him on the liard and tireless w'ork he did in
those terrible days working as many as 18 in 20 hours a dav. This 1 speak
from my personal knowledge. It was he who brought the conffagralion
under control in 4 days. Bombay with all its prenarations has ixit sueceeded
in doing so for almost three weeks. Ahmedahad is another case in point.
The power of the press, particularly the Hindu pre*^^, cannot k* ignored
and the part it has played in fanning communal bitterness cannot he
exaggerated. More than anything else if is the press that T hold «nhstan-
fially responsible for the un/ortunate and regrettable hapTMuiing in Calcutta
for four days. Dav in and day out truth was converted into fal«eho^>ds and
falsehoods into truth. The process has not ceased unfortunately. In the
matter of hartal it adopted a most hostile attitnde. The Hindus were pro-
▼ok^ noi to observe the hartal and to suspend their normal activities on
the day. It was instilled into the minds of the Hindus that *‘the observance
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20rH SfitT.,
of the hartal would be repudiation of their cherished political faith*', that
“FaJcistan as contemplated by the League, would be a bell not only for the
Mindus but also for the Muslims who did not see eye to eye with Mr. Jinnah
and the League" and that '‘the hartal was directed against the Congress
and not against the Britisli Government and that it was anti-nationaJ and
communal".
If it was the intention of the Chief Minister or the Ministry or the
Muslim League in the province to declare war the Muslims would not have
been caught unjirepared and the Chief Minister would not either declare
the j»uhlic holiday or release the pre-lteform political prisoners on the 15th
of August. lie sought to keep the atmosphere calm and peaceful. But the
op])onentH of the League who hud made the preparations clandestinely had
decided otherwise and were bent on striking well and hard to instil fright
into the hearts of the Muslims throughout the country. I am wondering
if hardened by the exj>erience of the l.N.A. and other troubles in w’hich the
Muslims held aloof, advantage was taken of the League hartal day to wreak
vengeance on them, and to teach them a lesson for all times to come.
I may inform the House through vou, Sir, that I am one of those who
was (ionstaiitly on the move from the morning ol the Kith until sanity
retiirned b«)th to the Muslims and to the Hindus. As early as 7-15 on the
Kith morning re))ortH came in from various parts of Calcutta tlrat peaceful
Muslims were being atta<'ked. 1 was a witness to the brickbat throwing
that took ]da(‘(5 in Corporation Street at 1(1 a.m. on Muslim passers-by from
the throe-st(»ried buildings on either side of the street — buildings owned by
Hindus. My tour of Cah'utta jiroved to me beyond doubt tliat this brick-
bat throwing from house tops that 1 witnessed in rori)oration Street was
not an isolated affair, but this method of attack was employed at every
point of vantage with such force that some processionists could not get
through and had to return or were broken ii]). If. as alleged, Muslim
processionists carried wcajams with them much more serious allegations
against them would liave resulted when‘as in fact there is no report of
r(‘taliation from any (piarter barring t)ne or two. The majority of the
wounded and dead that were brought to the hospitals of Calcutta before noon
of tin' Kith of August were Muslims. This is not a frivolous statement. It
(’an )n‘ chec'ki'd uj) from hospital re('ords despite etVorts made in some hospi-
tals to register patent Muslim casualties as Hindu ones. It is also an
umiuestionable fact that most of tlie shops and houses that were looted and
dwelling ])lac(\s that were burnt till the evening of the 10th August belonged
to Muslims. AVhile this attack was being carried out with fury Muslim
Leaguers were out calling upon their brothers to remain peaceful, not to
retaliate even when provoked but to go to the meeting in the Maidan. It
Was only when the bounds of toleration were broken, when reports of large
sc ale inunltT and massac're spread to the viahalhs and wards of Calcutta
that the Muslims began to defend themselves.
Things ^\ould not have come to the dreadful pass they did had the peace
juissiou that went out early in the day on the 10th been able to exendse
induem^e on the peojde. AVbile the Muslims listened to Mr. Suhrawardy
and carriinl (>ut his instnu'tions, the Cougness leader Mr. I). X. Mukherjee
was lumted down by bis followers and even threatened with a'isault. I wish
he would relate his experience for the benefit of the House. The Hindus
cannot with any justification say that they were not protected or were denied
the assistance they sought. Muslims on the other hand were most justified
in jdeading on- these line^. I was in Lalhazar on the ITth morning and I
saw how few Hindus went away without getting what they wanted. Mr.
Mohan Lai Rbab will corrolmrate the statement.
Mr. Speaker. Sir, it will come as a shock to the House and to the public
at large that Mr. Kiran Saukar Roy and Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose decliniM}
to join the Chief Minister in taking peace processions round the city till the
20th August. I will not say that they did so out of fear. It mtist however
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIBENCE.
l^.]
Ut
be noted that had these processions gone round, the eamajre on the 17th
and ISth would in all probability have been averteil. It was a repetition
of the pwlicy adopted by the Congress after the earlier disturbances when
Mr, £iran Sankar Roy and his coliegues iu the house of Mr. Sarat Chandra
Bose declined to affix their signature to an ap}>eal to the citiiens if there
was any signature of a Muslim on the same document. (Mr. Riiuk
Sa.nk.ui Roy : That is not true.) Much as I would like to absolve the
Commissioner of Tolice from the blame for not having taken, on his own
initiative, as he is bound to by virtue of bis office, necessary precautionary
measures for the protection of life and property on the Hith of Axigust, I
cannot honestly <lo so. The Commissioner of Police should have had before
him reports of meetings held, particularly on the Cith, 14th and 15th of
August, in various parks and public places, meetings that incited Hindus
to action, meetings that told them to prcoarc themselves and show how
Pakisthaii ('ould be buried once anil for all It be received such reports
and did not act. he ]ni^ failed in his dut^v. If reports were not placed before
him, then an immediate inquiry is indicated into the workings of the l.B.
Department — a department that is entrusted with the duty of kcHJping the
Commissioner fully informed of the aetivities of political, legal and illegal,
organisations in the city. If tlu* Commissioui'r tlid not know, then, it is
obvious that the Home Minister was kepi equally in the dark of the preimra-
tinns and plans of the miscreants, high and low. In the light of this I
would like an ex[)lanation from (he Hon’hle (Miief Minister when he replies
as to why and how information of the mass murder, loot and arson that
Muslims were subjected to in Sovabaazr, Bughba/.ar, ^imtolla, Haikbola,
Beadiui Street and a portion of the Sbambazar (li<l not reacli Lalbatsar
Control. Can tlie Hon’ble (’hief Minister deny' that In* tvas not aw'are of
the happenings in N<»rth (^alcutta until he undertook a tour of the city with
the Governor^ What explanation cun he otter for tlu* complete blacking
out of these tragic happenings w’here Mussalinuus — men, women and even
children— who were in a minority of 5 per I’cnt. to 111 per cent., ami w'ere
ciuupletely surrounded bv a iniliiant majority, were mcrcilt*ssly buteheredr
Wlien news ('aiiic through, there was nothing to be ilone be<’ause those who
were caught were silenced for ever.
I will also welcome an explanation from the ITon’lde Cbiel Minister why,
tlu* Police on the Ibtli ami 17th August allowed murder ami loot to take
place w'itliin (heir sight. How could a well-known Watch ('ompauy within
a few yards of the Palbazar police station, have been hmlcd in broad day-
light (»ii (he IDh im»rning when hundreds of ])oli(emen were driving in ami
<uit of Lalbazar at the time?
Sir the enemies (*f Muslims have learnt the art of ]>ropagam]a to perfec-
tion. When a deep laid plan fails to frmtify an attitude of injured
innocence is exjiected to i»av well. Mr. Dhiren Datta talked of the llipon
College incident. Muslim students hoisted tlu* l.eague flag in accordance
with the agreement lietween the Hindu ami Muslim ociuipants of the
Hostel. The Hindu voung men broke their pledge* and juiUimI down the
League flag. An honourable member id this House was present on the
occasion. It has also been said that Mr. Suhrawardy jiresided over the
Mnidan meeting. Could falsehood be uttered in n more bra/a^n faced
luuuuri .
Members have pleaded from the Opposition for a Congress-League Coali-
tion in Bengal. Xo one would welcome such an arrangement more than
1 but the\ will agree that similar arrangements will have to be made simul-
faneously in the other provinces and at the Centre as well.
Sir, the sooner intrigue and conspiracy cease the better for us all. Their
virus has spread over the whole Wy civic of f^alcutta Members of the
medical profession has not remained uncontaminated. Officers of Law and
Order have also shown diw-rimination and withheld assistance and protj^
tion The Press and the politicians appear to be determined to down thtt
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20th Shpt.
Muslma. UnleaB- there is change of heart on the part of our opponents
things are not likely to improve, A motion of no-confidence is not tiie
right remedy.
Mr. OHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJl! Mr. Speaker, Sir, I
rise to speak on this motion of necessity, not by choice. The Chief
Minister has mentioned my name and in a light which is but a half-light.
I feel myself honour-bound therefore to give you briefly a complete picture
of that unfortunate day so far as I saw it.
At 9 in the morning, IGth August, I came to learn that hooligans were
already abroad, looting shops in Manicktola and Garpar, and it all began
in forcing shops to close down for hartal. My leader, Mr. K. 8. Roy, when
communicated by me, advised me to contact the Chief Minister. 1 jdioned
the Chief Minister and was asked to come without delay. I reached his
place at about cjuarter to 10.
We discussed the situation and decided to go out to pacify the mob. AW
went out in the Chief Minister’s car, driven by himself, and started through
Corporation Street.
AV’e found there a very large number of Muslim League volunteers,
wearing League badges, some in full uniform, some only with green caps
with badges on, everyone armed with a lathi of a standard shape and size.
As soon as w'e reached them, those volunteers surrounded the car. The Chief
Minister told them not to crowd the streets, to get on to the pavement and
set about their w(»rk. “ ^ ” AA"e move<l
on and met a Hindu crowd near Free School Street headed by Air. J. L.
Shaw, the Corporation Councillor, who reported to the Chief Minister that
Muslim Tjeague volunteers had been forcibly closing the Hindu shn])s and
threatening them. He wanted police protection. The Chief Alinister told
him that the police w^ould be coming shortly.
AA^e nroceeded through Corporation Street, crossintr A\'ellesley. The
gohlsmitliK’ sho|)s were <dosed, and there wa‘» no sign of an\ loot at the* time.
At the Moula-Ali corner, we met a large Muslim crowil with League
volunteers, all armed with latlu.s and in uniform. AA^e procee<led furthto ,
and both at Dixon Lane and Serpentine T.ane corners advised group'^ of
Hindus cidlected inside to disperse. They told us that League volunteeis
armed wdth lathis were threatening them and ])reventing free movement.
I actually found on the ('ircular Road, one gentleman’s car held up by
League volunteers who on my persuasion allowed it to pass. The Chit'f
Minister was also asking the crow’d to be peaceful.
We moved on to Sealdah (‘orner and found there a large crowd collected
on the Bowbazar Street and another on Circular Road o]>posite Railway
vStation. Tlie (''hief Minister first drove the car towards the erow'd on to
CiriMilar Road and asked them to disjierse. There were some fruit shops
owmed both by Hindps and Afuslims looted by that time, and the people
there were in a fighting mood, and this crowd wa'^ a Afiislim crowd. After
our approach there was just a lull, but the crowd did not di.sappear as the
Chief Minister stated in the Fpper House.
We turned tow’ards the Rowbazar Street but could not proceed far, as
the other crowd blocked the way. I got down and tried to persuade them
to disperse. There was an Assistant Commissioner of Police with a lorry-
load of iKilicemen, some of them armed with rifles, but they merely looked
on. As the erowd was Jn no mood to listen to him the Chief Minister
decided to leave, and while the car was turning back, brickbats were thrown
lit it. The picture given by the Chief Minister in the Fpper House about
the violent mood of the crowd, has l>een too much overcoloured and had he
stayed on, I am sure his courage and sincerity would have been eventually
appreciated even by a Hindu mob. I stayed on, tried to pacify the crowd,
ma was successful.
194fi.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
m
While there, I learnt that some buitef at the corner of Bowbaaar Street
and Amherst Street had been set on fire. 1 rushed there, and arranged to
bring out the Fire Brigade by using a phone from Bandhab Bastralaya.
The police were patrolling the streets but not helping to disperse tlie crowd
or stop the fire. At the corner 1 was oersuading a large crowd to disperse;
while doing so a police lorry (;ame» and a European officer pointed a gun at
me and fired a shot. Immediately the whole crowd melted aw*ay. It was
tear gas, and I asked the officer why he tired without warning.' He said
he wanted to disnerse the crowd and I pointed out to him that as the <‘rowd
was already on the imiiit of dispersing at mv persuasion, the tear gas would
only irritate them and might have resulted in a shower of brieknats, and
retaliatory shots fired by sergeants. I comfilained tlmt patrol iiolice merely
looked on making no attempt to stoji the tire. The officer, Mr. Barnes, a
Deputy Commissioner of Ihilice, then left. The altercation witli him gave
me an advantage — the police must have thought me a person of importanee.
I managed restore peace in the locality atul at 1 o’clock 1 was told there
that rioting has broken out at St'alduh cornt^r. I liaslcned to the siwd and
found fighting going on between Hindus and Muslims inside Baithakkhana
Bazar. I was successful in putting a stop to it. .lust as I caim* out on the
Bowbazai Street, 1 tound a wine shop in the Circular lioad*Bow bazar corner
ablaze, and both Muslims and policemen in uniform busy taking away the
bottles. Some of the bottles 1 found stored in the Ihilice lorry. I caught
hold of a policeman carrying away tw<» bottles from tlie shop, and drugged
liim before the I’olice Sergeant, hut lU) action was taken and the man ran
away.
I saw that a ver\ big Muslim pro<essif>n had come to the Seuldub
I’orner from the Cpper Circular Hoad side. They were carrying sword,
laiJnx, etc., and wanted aggressively to pass through Bow bazar Street. I
inove(i towards them and suggested, they might go t(> the Maidun. by
continuing through the (’ircular Hoad and Dliaranitallu Street instead of
forcing their way tlirough B(»W'huzar. All on a sudden, some of them began
to break open the shops cm the Circular Hoad and loot tliein. Some rushed
and surrounded me and began to beat im*. One young Muslim, apparently
a student, gave me a blow”, deidaring he wimld break my teetli. Another
brandished his long knife shouting that he was thirsty for my blood.
Further mischief was prevented by siuiic who must have appreciated my
motives. .lust then, one (»f the Sergeants who bad Iteen with Mr. BurneH
rushed with two armed jjolii'eineii into the crowd and brought me bui’k to
comparative safety. Anvw’uy, the processionists cluinged their mind and
passed on tlirough Circular Road, as I hatl suggested, instead of trying to
for(‘e their way through Bowdiazar. Meaiiwliile, anoflier iinm‘d and a more
violent crowd came up from Beliaghifta side and wanted to forr*<‘ their vay
through Bowbazar. Ibdicemon, both ordinary and armed, about r»0 in
number were there in two lorries under tlie dire«’tion <if Sergeants. I sug-
gested to the Sergeants that the two lorries might he pbned hUK-king the
entrance to Bowbazar Street, and the pidice slimild fire to prevent tlie clash
between the two crow'ds. The Sergeants paid no heed. The Beliiighata
crowd looted the aerated-water shop at the corner and began to hurl the
bottles and ru,shed in to the Bowbazar Street, and |)nKeeded two to tine©
hundred yards. I could not prevent them forcing in, nor r-ould I persuade
them to get back. Instead, I got lathi blows on rnv anus. This <Towd %vaa
prevented from passing through Bowbazar Street by a shower of brickbats,
I learnt that processionists pa.ssiiig through Circular Rood were rushing
inside the lanes leading to west, and assaulting the Iwal residents. 1 went
round and saw at Dixon liane one gentleman lying dead on the street with
his throat ^hed, blood still spouting up. He was a Hindu, who was coming
through Circular Road, and had been chased by the goondas. This wat
about a hundred ywrds from Circular Road,
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20th Sept.,
While standing there I saw the processionists at the junction brandishing
ewords, sticks, etc., and challenging the crowd inside the lanes to come
out. 1 tound them rushing into the lanes alsoj^ a fighting mood. From
there I moved on towards Dharamtalla Street, walking through the lanes,
and reached Indian Mirror Street at about 3-dO p.m. There I learnt that
already Muslim crowds in procession had been making attempts at
Welleslay-end and Corporation Street-end to get inside the Indian lilirror
Street. 1 saw the processionists passing through the Corporation Street,
shouting slogans, brandishing swords and sticks. The looting of the
jewellery and goldsmiths’ shops had started. I rang up Mr. K. S. Roy,
informed him ot the situation, suggesting that the Governor should be
apprised, section 144 promulgated, and the police instructed to fire on unruly
crowds, irrespective of community.
Mr. Roy asked me to communicate with the Chief Minister, the Police
Commissioner, and the Private Secretary to the Governor, whom lie had
already rung up. The first two I could not get; when I informed the Private
Secretary and told liim my forebodings that the crowd now going to the
Maidun would he looting on their way hac’k, lie nroinised to communic.iie
all this to the Governor and said that action would he taken about military
help, promulgation of section 144, etc. 1 rang uji also Mr. Gladding,
Leader of the Kuroneau Party, and requested him to use hi.s infiuence to
bring oul immediately the Military. lie told me that he would also inform
the Governor. This was about 4-dO p.ni.
The processionists began to return with great ^'hulJa*\ They began to
sack every jewellers’ shop on Corporation Street. Three or four times they
rushed into Indian Mirror Street, cheeked only by showers (»f hriekhals.
They set fire to a shop on the Indian Mirror Street-Corporation Street
junction (Puraneliand Avenue). The Fire Brigade was called hut nuld not
reach the jdace, prevented hv the hooligans. Tlie disturbance continued
np to 2 u.m. increasing in volume. The\ set tire to a three-store ved house
at the corner of Corporation Street and Taltala Lane, just opposite
Y.M.C.A.
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Mukberji, your time is up.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: Sir, may I have a few
luiuutes inore^
Mr. SPEAKER: All you iiiuy have two minutes more.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: The inmates shouted for
help. Taltala |H>liee-stutioii, about 2()l) yards off, was informed over the
plume, hut no action was taken. The Fire Brigade was called up twice but
chased away. Finding the peo]de ahsoluttdy helple.ss we organised a rescue
party and tried to reueli the spot. By this time another Fire Brigade came
np at our call and emboldened by our support, it could fuuetion this time,
and put out the fire. Jhe situation eased a little, so far as attacks went,
but the whole locality remained iu-.eeure. Time does not permit, and I
must stop.
I have given you my own experiences on the 16th only. I will not
linger over them nor discu.ss if the Deputy Commissioners of Police in
Calcutta were TTindus w Muslims. T will not attempt to argue with our
Chief Minister to convince him that a Minister’s, let alone the Chief Minis-
ter’s, duty is to see also that they are obeyed, and to make for conditions
which favour their being obeyed. As the Chief Mini,ster’s supporters liave
pointed out that he ordered firing on the I6th afternoon, I only want to ask
mm how many rounds of ammunition were issued on Friday to the armed
r lice, and how many of them used on that date by the armed police, who,
understand, are about 1,000 in number.
194C.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
137
The motion before us could have been left in cold nejflect if it only
related to the past, it might have been considered nothing but a dream.
But it is not that. Ever|%p(^t has a future to carry on. The air is still
thick with rumours. The atmosphere is still full of distrust. People ask us
“What about East Bengal}*'* The want of confidence in the present
Ministry has already been declared by tlie closed shops in Mullick Baxar«
Park Circus, and Wellesley Street, the furtive looks and hurried steps of
tlie few men that walk. The want of confidence has already been recorded
silently by the clerk of the times. It now remains for this Legislature to
reflect that judgment and to move want (»f coufidciu'e in a Mini.**try which
has either wilfully shirked its job (U’ failed to do it through utter inefti-
ciency subjecting thousands of Hindus and Muslims to death or deathlike
nii.sery, uml dangerously wrecking the ship of State committed to their
i'are.
I appeal to all ])arties to east their verdiet on the issue whether law and
^ofder failed, uml whether persons responsible for their maintenance did
their best. Let not a single member .sit mnitral.
With these words, Sir, I press this motmn before the House for adoption.
Mr* D* CLADDING: Mr. Speaker, Sir. my''elf and the m»*inbers of
my party have listene<l to this debatt‘ with deep s\m])uthv tor the Hindu
and Muslim communities and, if 1 may be permitted to ^ay so, with
admiration for the general restraint uith which both ha\e s|»'’ken, having
suffered, as they did, so terrildv, and being furllienuore aligned in tliis
House in opposite parties. Belonging as I do to a community which was
inercifull\ spaied, I find that it is almost a presumption tor me to inirude
at all, but I speak in the hope that I may he able to say something helpful.
Ibiblie opinion. Sir, as soon as it could make itmdf heard aft(*r the war
between tin* two eommunitieh which broke out on August the Ifith, iinmc*
<liately demanded a public ciujuirv into the whole matter by a disinterested
judi<*ial body. f*ongress leaders joined iti tins demand and the Chief
Ministei, inimediat(dy a.ssociatiug himself with it, promised that such an
eiKjuirs would be instituted. A highranking judicial commission lias since
been appointed and is about to begin its work, 'fliis w'us eminently (he
correct course. The charges and <*oun(er-eharge.s that will havi* to !>e
investigated are so very grave, and so wrappeil up with polities, tliat public
^'pinion would be eontmit with nothing less than a jmlii ial (MOjuiiy outside
the rang^e of ])olities. Apart from this a judicial emjuirv is less likely to
revive ill-feeling than an en<|uirv in an\ other fonim. Tlie ia«d that this
enquiry is coming has, T think, undoubtedly eased the teiisinn that might
otherwi.se have characterised tin*, debate. Mv |iart\, Sii, goes a step
further and thinks that, in view of this imjieiiding^ empiirv, it is [irenmture,
if not actually useless, to subject the matter to (he arliitranient of a vote
in Ihi.s House: which vote, after all. would, as ur all know, provi* nothing
except the mathematical alignment of the two main jiarties which is already
public knowledge. Xobody here knows all the facts or is in a position to
s:»v wdiere the trulli lies. On one of the issues, whi<di T may call the
impersonal issue whether the Administration did all it should have done
to prevent the catastrophe; and all that it should ha\(‘ done to check its
growth, mv party s«*e reason, prirrut facie, to doubt wlmtloo it did. But
because this Commission has been set up, we hold that the proper eourse,
both logicallr^and in the intere.st of peace, is for everybody to suspend
judgment on this and all otlier issues until its findings are available; and
this, Sir, is the course which we propose to adopt.
But what an anxious public does look for in this debate — an anxious
public not merely in Calcutta hut throughout the towns and villages in
Bengal-~is assurance for the future; assurance of peace between the two
communities; of action to produce it, and of action to maintain it. Peace
Committees have already b^n doing their admirable work. To supplement
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20rH Sbpt.,
thifi, in the Bphere of law amd order, the Amed Police in Calcutta and of
the Province ehould immediately be brought far above the inadequate
Htreiigth at which they Btood a month ago. In* addition to this, learning
the lessons of a month ago, Government should give assurances that in
future military help will be called upon more timely than, if I may say so.
it appears to have been called upon a month ago. It should be remembered
that the Military have to be called in before they can function; no blame
attaches to them if they are not called upon early enough. It was the men
of Indian and British Regiments after they had been called in who saved
the situation. I'he task that fell to them was outside the normal duty of
soldiers and repugnant to their feelings. We acknowledge on behalf of the
city the debt which we owe to them. The Chief Minister must indeed
have thanked God for their presence, when he stood in his terrible predi-
cament.
In the field of politics what public opinion immediately demanded was
that the model of the Peace Committees should be copied in Government
itbelf by the formation of a Cabinet embracing the Hindu and Muslim parties.
Here again we agree with public opinion, and think that it should have
been acted upon immediately. We favoured a Coalition when this Ministry
was being formed, because we thought that a Coalition would be able, better
than any other Government, to advance the welfare of the province, to frame
and carry out a plan of Post-W’^ar Reconstruction and to compel the Centre
to give the Province the fair financial deal that it has not yet seen. To
those reasons is now added the (certainty that a Coalition Government,
better than anything else, would allay the present fears of the people and
constitute an insurance against a recurrence of trouble. In terms of Bengal
alone, under the .sliock of the recent calamity there i.s, I feel sure, sufficient
willingness to bring this about; but the Chief Minister tells us that politns
outside this province constitute an obstacle. If this is so, we greatly deplore
it and sincerely hope that the endeavours to remove that obstacle w’hich are
now in progress will be crowned with success. It seems to us that a
prosperous and [»euceful administration of this province (I refer not merely
to the Government hut also to the services) will never emerge so long as
the two leading (umimuuities remain in opposite camps. We pray for u
consummation whieh will bring them together, and we trust that the Chief
Minister, when he conies to take part in this debate, will give us more
prounds for hope than he appears to have done in the Upper House. None
better than he knows that I speak the truth. The responsibility that lies
upon him in this connection is both heavy and glorious.
1 cannot sit down. Sir. without referring to two calumnies against my
own countrymen that have fallen from the lips of a few previous speakers —
a few only, I am glad to say. One of them was to the effect that the Cabinet
Mission came out with (he deliberate intention of creating a quarrel between
HindUvS and Muslims, so that, instead of India gaining her freedom,
England might maintain her domination over this country. Whatever
grievance the Ta'ugue may have about the way in w^hich the negotiations
went, they should in fairness abstain from such gross perversion of the
truth. I thought that, if one thing had been made clear beyond doubt, it
was the hona fides of His Majesty’s Government and its good will indiscri-
minately toward both communities. The other allegation was that the
members of my community in Caleutta chuckled over the horrors of last
month because they did not want Indians to get self-government and because
they thought that here vwas proof that they would never get it. Speaking
for mvself, and for all other members of my party, and for every European
outsirfe the Party whose confidence I enjoy, I deny this charge on my word
of honour. The truth is precisely the opposite.
Dr. IYAMAPRA8AD MOOKEMEE: Mr. Speaker, Sir, since jrester-
day we have been discussing the motions of no-confidence under circum-
•tanoos which perhaps have no parallel in the deliberations ol any legialatnrs
1946.1
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
139
in any jjart of the civilised world. What hapi)ened in Calcutta is without
a parallel in modem history. St. Bartholomew's Day of which history
records some jrrim events of murder and butchery pales into insignificance
compared to the brutalities that were committed in the streets, lanes and
bye-lanes of this first city oi British India. We have lieen discussing, Sir,
as to the genesis of these disturbauees. Time will not iwrmit me to go
through the detailed history and course of events during the last few years.
But let me say this that what has hap|amed is not the result of a sudden
explosion, but it is the culiliiuution of an administration, inefiicieiit, corrupt
and communal, whicli has disfigured the life of this grt»at pn»vinre. But
so far as the immediate cause is concerned, rightly reference has been made
by members lielouging to the Muslim Iii*ague and also to the
Opposition that we have to look to the resolution that wai
1 Kissed at Bombay at the ult> India session of the ('ouncil of the Muslim
^eague. Now what hap]>ened thereh* It is suiil, on l>ehalf of the Muslim
lieague that the Cabinet Mission proveil faithless to Muslim inten^sts and
thereby created a situation which hud had no parallel in tlie history of
Anglo-Muslim relationsliip in this country. What did actually the Cabinet
Mission do^ The Muslim lieague, the s|uult and ])ampere<l child of the
British imperialists for the last thirty >eurs, was disowneil for the first time
bv the British l.abour (lovernmeiit (loud noise Irom the (iovernnieut
benches)...! know it that memhers, when tiie\ hear the bitter trutli, can
luirdly rejiress their fetdings. Sir, the fai t remains that the old poHey of
the British (tovernment of no mlvaneeinent without a ('ongress-Muslim
League agreement was for the first time given up in B>4(). ..(loud cries from
the (ioverninent beiudies) 1 have only stated the fact and I do not make
any ciunment on it and still m\ friends become impatient immediately.
Now, the fact remains that the Muslim Leugin* was b> -passed and the
Interim (TO\erumeiit has been formeil at the Centre. Snpjiosing Mr. Jinnob
had lH*en lisked to form the Interim (fovernnienl without the Congress, would
my friends belonging to the Muslim Leagm* have tlien lilamed the (iovern-
inent lor having betrayed the interests ot the Hindu community ^
8ir, what happened alter the Homha\ resolution!^ I have* before me a
summary of the speeches delivered b\ distinguished sjiokesmen on liehalf of
tiie Muslim League in every part of India and although it was said that the
Direct Action Duv itself was not tlu* day for I’omineneing diieet action, it
was at file same tune }K>inte»l out that the war had begun, the days of pear^e
and comiiroiuise were over and now* the jcluul . <A mkmhku kuom Tifh
(iovKRNMKNT HKNCiiKs ; Again^t whom!'; War against everyone who did not
accept Pakistan. That has lieeii made almnduntly < lear.
1 would ask iny friemls not to miHunderstand me. 1 am frying (o jHii
in brief their ]H)int ot view* a.s I would ask them also to appreciuti* our point
of view. We are like poles asunder. You say vou will jilunge the country
into civil war if you no not get Pukisthau and we say you shall not get
Pakistan by any means whatsoever. These two points of view' are irrecon-
cilable and what I am now telling the Hou.se is this that the memlM^rH speak-
ing on behalf of the Muslim la^ague did not mince matters, Muslim
leaders want civil war. Only a pattern of civil war, according to
Mr. Jinuuh, was witnes.sed in this very city of Calcutta, but wlietlier l ivil
war wdil ultimately help Muslims to get Pakisthan or not is a mutter that
remains yet to \ye seen. It is said that British Imperialists are against the
Muslim Ijeague. Why talk rot in this wayy Who gave you separate
electorate and communal award. Who is heljdng the Sind Ministry to
remain in power J' Is not the (iovernor a British (fovernor? Are not the
three European members of the Sind Assembly British ineniberB of that
Houee? Are they not trying their level Wst somehow' to keep the Muslim
League in jmwer and not allow’ the Congress to go to office altliough among
the Indian members they are in a majority.
Now, Sir, I shall leave this aside. I shall not refer to the detailed
speechee which hare been delivered by the Muslim League leaden baning
140
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20th Sispt.5
one or two illustrative remarks. When Mr. Jinnah was confronted at a press
conference in BomW asked whether direct action
involved violence or non-violence, his cryptic reply was “I am not ^ing to
discuss ethics'’. (The Ilon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali: Good.) But Khwaja
Nazimuddin was not so good. He came out very bluntly in Bengal and he
said that Muslims did not believe in non-violence at all, Muslims knew what
direct action meant and there were one hundred and one ways in which
direct actipn could be achieved in this province. Now, Sir, speeches like
this were made by responsible League leaders. One said in the Punjab that
the zero hour had struck and that the war had begun. All this was followed
by a senes of articles and statements which appeared in the columns of
newspapers — the Morning News^ the Star of India and the Azuil. If you
read those documents, particularly I would ask my friend Mr. Ispahan!,
if he reads those documents, 1 do not know wliether he has leanit Bengali
yet, if not, for his benefit a translation can be made of the Bengali articles
in the Aznd he will be able to find out that there was nothing but open and
direct incitement to violence. Hatred of Hindus and jehad on the Hindus
W'ere declared in fire-eating language. That was the background. I am not
going to quote the papers, for I have not the time. You have read them and
the general Muslim public have acted ac4-ording to the instructions.
Now, HO far as the later events are eoneerned, what happen(‘(l on the
KHh? What were the preparations made? Mr. Ispahani says that they
were tahen unawares. In the Moruing Seu\< on the Kith there appeared an
announcement on behalf ot the Pakisthan Ambulance (\)ri)H and there full
instructions were given a.s to how the Ambulance ('orps was to act — mind
you, Sir, this was dom* before the troubles started. This Paki.sthan
Ambulance (’orps was to be utilised in different pjirts of the (‘ity, they were
to go out in Imtciies, cars and ofheers would he available and from the ITth
morning announcement was to be made ever\ hour as regards the natients
which W’cre to be found in the different hospitals of (’alcutta. This was
announced Iwfore any trouhle started in (alcutta and Mr. Ispahani says
there was no preparation. Of eourse, it was by the sheerest bud luek that
you allowed the notiee of this one among many kinds of preparation to be
published in the newspapers.
No>v, Sir, what hajipened on the Klthy I shall not refer to the detailed
speeehes of other memhers, but I shall eertainly hold responsible the Chief
Minister of this provinee w'h<» so lost his mental balance as to have made
that statement from U(uubu\ saying that he was going to declare Bengal to
be an inde])endeut State. A Minister who cannot control his British under-
ling — the ('ommissioner of Ihdiee — is going to make Bengal an independent
State! A Minister wh<» «*oines forward and says “I am helpless, I could
not save the ]>eople of the city because the Commissioner of Police would
not lisUm to me” will declare Bengal an independent State! Now, that was
Mr. Suhrnwurdy. He said he was going to carry on a no-rent campaign
in this province. lie was going to disobey law and order. His speech before
the liegislalive Council gtK*8 to show that he knew fully w^ell that troubles
were anead. If you analyse his speech it will appear that he knew that
troubles were bn*wing and he said he wanted to be as careful as possible.
I am not raising the question in this debate as to how many Hindus
were butchered and how’ many Muslims were butchered. Bhawanipore,
Taltolla or Wat^unge is not the main question in issue. The question in
issue today is, did Government succeed in protecting life and property, no
matter to which community that life and property belonged? Why did Gov-
ernment allow so many Muslim lives to be butchered if you look upon Mr.
Suhraw^ardy as the great Muslim champion? Why did fie allow the entire
administration of law and order to collapse in the city? I shall sav. Sir, it
was a diabolical plan. I say. Sir, there was a well-organised plan that there
was goinj^ to be a blit* attack on the city and Hindus were going to be taken
by surprise, properties were going to be looted and lives were going to be
lost. Then Mr. Buhrawardy found that he was caught in his own trap.
im.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE,
141
when he and others were hit back in their own coin he could not regain hie
lost ground and failed to do what his Muslim brethren asked him to do ia
agony and distress.
On the 16th, our case is that provocation came from thft
other side, their case is that provocation came from the Hindu
side. That also I am not going to discuss today. Let us leave that
for the time being, but let us }>roceed to the next stage. Mr. Suhrawurdy
said, by lii noon he realised the situation was very had. Was he not still
the Chief Minister of llengalr' What did he do at that tim©)^ Why was
not the military called out at that time?' I have got here a circular issued
by the military for the information ol its otlicers and employees in which
clear information is given that the military was ready to come out on
Friday noon but it was not asked to do so. Tlie I'ivil police failed to protect
the life and property as it wUvS expected to do and whenever the military was
asked to come out, it came out and it did whatever it could do. Hut, alas,
thousands had been killed meanwhile and crores of rupees looted!
On Friday Mr. Suhrawardy knew that trouble had broken out — no
matter whether the Hindus were the aggressors or tlie Muslims were the
aggressors. Why did he not immediately proelaim section \‘\AY Why did
he allow the whole ( ity to lie jdueed at the inerey of goondas, daeoits and
imirderersy Why did he allow the meeting at all to be held at the maitlan
in the afternoon over wdiieh he presided?’ He stands charged with the deli-
berate otlence of having jjluyetl havoc with the life and iiroperty of the
citizerih of this j^reat city, no matter wdiether they were lliiKius or they were
Muslims. Oil Friilay night he gives a message to the Assoidiited Press that
the condition in the city had improved. Does he remember it?' It seems
be has forgotten it. He is looking like an innocent idiild. 1 have got here
the Assoeiat(‘d Pre.ss news from the next day’s newspapers. 1 would ask
my friends to forget for the time being that tlu‘y belong to the Muslim
l^eague. On Friday night the Cliief Minister announeed .
The Hon*ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: MeV
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Ves.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: No, no.
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERilEE: li Mr. Suhrawurdy says
here, Sir, is the statement of Mr. H. S. Suhrawurdy, Chief Minister of
Bengal — 1 suppose that is the gentleumn sitting over there (liaugbter)
interviewed by the A.ssociated Press <d India to the eheet that the xltuation
irdu improving. (TTproar.) (A voick i'rom Tin- Ooveknmk.nt iiKNcirKS ;
What papery) Every newsjiaper. (Kenewed uproar.) I w^ould ask my
friends that they must observe the rules of the game and fairplay even in a
discu.ssion like this. Why don't you ask the Chief Minister to exjilain this?*
Mr. FAZtUR RAHMAN: On ,a point of order, Sir, tlo*se papers must
be submitted to you for perusal by members.
know that this is no point of order.
or. SY AM APR ASAD MOOKERJEE: Mr. Fu/lur Kahman should
Mr. FAZLUR RAHMAN: Yes, it is a point of order. A member caunott
read from a document in this^House and if he uses it he must submit it to
you for perusal by the members.
Dr. 8Y AM APR ASAD M00KER4EE: Mr. S{ leaker, you can certainly
look into it. I am not afraid of the truth. Now, Sir, section 144 is
supposed to have been promulgated on Friday hut never enforced .
Mr. SPEAKER: You have to produce the pafier, Dr. Mookerjee.
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Yes, Sir. (Sent the paper to
Mr. Speaker.) I tan produce it to anyone who wants to see it.
m
MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCB,
[20th Sept.,
Then on Saturday the curfew order was inai^rated, but neither section
144 nor the curfew order was enforced. How is it that in spite of section
144 and the curfew order people were moving about committing loot and
plunder and murder eveni'' ilow is it that within a stone’s throw, ae
Mr. Ispahan! has pointed out, from Lalbazar police-station shops were looted,
people were murdered and all sorts of offence were committed without the
police moving an inch?
TN HOfi’ble Mr« Ht 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Am I responsible for that?
Or. SYAMAPRA8AD MOOKERdEE: Of course, you are responsible.
If you have got the guts to say that you are not responsible, let us know
that. Now, Sir, that was on the 16th and 17th August. liUter on what
iiai)pened? Mr. Suhrawardy know's it very well that he was speaking with a
doui)le face. On the 2^1rd he issued a broadcast message, a message of peace,
for the people of llengal and w'ithin half an hour of that he sent out a
special message for foreign press through foreign correspondents and the
tningH which are mentioned in that document are entirely different from the
broadcast message which he issued to the people of Jlengal. (.’an he deny
that? (A VOK’K FltOM IllK (ioVERNMENT UEM'IIKS : That is obvious.) He
has stated that the Hindus have started the riot. (The Hon’ble Mr. H. S.
Sfhraw AHDY ; Certainly.) He has said that it is the Hindus, w’ho are to
blame. He said it was the British Ooverninent which was to blame. Say
“certainly” (laughter) and, lastly, he said that he cannot yet tell what w^ill
hapiM ‘11 in future if the Interim (iovernment continues in office. N(>w’, Sir,
if til at is the remark which he wanted to make on tiiat day what w’us the
use of his apjieuliug to the people of Bengal lor peace and harmony and
saying “I have kept an open mind and I would like Hindus and Muslims
to work together”, ('an history give us a better example of a double-laced
Minister?
Sir, there are two matters here w'hi(‘h may be mentioned. Mr. Suhrawardy
«aid that he could not control the (./ominissioner of INilice because he was
not under his order. I shall give you, Sir, one instance out of many wbicdi
are available from w'hich it will appear how Mr. Suhrnwarfly interfered
w'ith the administration of the police offices in a manner which was unworthy
of any Home Minister ot any province. In the Park Street police-station
about seven yotmtias w'ere taken by a European Inspector on Sunday evening.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: I am sorry, but you are a
goondii then.
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Sir, that is the remark which
Mr. Suhrawardy has made, uumely, “I am sorry you are a yoonda then”.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY; Sir, I resent very much that
any Muslim gentleman should be characterised as a yoonda.
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: I do not know who they are.
These persons were found with looted properties. If Mr. Suhrawardy says
that Muslim geutleinen took awoy looted properties I shall how down my
head to him, but if he says tliat 1 am a goonaa then 1 too can say that he is the
hest yoonda that is available not only in this province but throughout the
world. (Uproar.)
Mr. SPEAKER: Dr. Mm^kerjee, that is not a very deairable expresaion
in respect of an honourable member of this House.
Or. SYAMapRASAO MOOKfRJEE: Sir. I shall withdraw it as soon
as Mr. ^hrawardy withdraws what he has said about me. (Cries of
“withdraw, withdraw’^ from the Gbremment Imches.) Bet him withdraw
Erst what he haa said about me.
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
14S
1946:]
TiM Hon^Me Mr. H. 8. SUMRAWARDY: It i» ([uite tru^ that 1 can
never thitlk of Dr, Syaniaprasad Mookerjee as a tjovnda ami I certaittly
withdraw that remark.
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: I withdraw too. Now\ Sir, let*
me pas.s on. So far as the** Park Street incident is concerned, the important
j>oint is tliut goondas or gentlemen whoever they were, seven Muslims wto
were found in possession of looted properties were brought into Park Street
police-station by a Inspeitor. Within ten minutes Mr. H. S.
Suhraw’ardv appears on the sct*ne. He geiN the^ic pi'rsons released. It is on
record. Let him deny that. iThe Hon'ble Mr. 11. S. St hkau ardy : Ye8.)
((Vies of “shame, sliuim*’* from Congres** bmiche**.) Tlien he comes back
and c]iarg<*8 the police otliccr for stealing a basket ol eggs! (The Hon’ble
Mr. H. S, Si iiR \w vHi)\ ; Oh! no.) 'Ihi- is the way. Sir, in which
Mr. Suhrawardy lias behaved. 'Phis is one instance I am giving. (Cries of
“you have eookevl It” from (bnernment Inmehes.i N(», 1 liave not cooked it.
He has admitted it.
Then, Sir, the Mnslim Leagm‘ pail\ wanted bOII gallons ot jietnd from
the Heiigal (io\ eminent. That was not granted, hut petrol coupons W'ere
issued in the name of individual Ministers — general coupons, -100 gallons
being issued in the name of the Chief Minister. Evidence is available that
these coupons were used hy lorries moving in the streets of Culeutia on those
fateful day.s. That i> how arrangemeuts were being made under the very
no.sc of the Home Department ov<*r whi<h Mr. Snhrawardy was presiding.
Can Mr. Suhrawardv deny that be himself went to Howrah accompanied
by some Muslim League leaders, met local olhccis m aiit!iont\ there, and had
elia.stised and taken them to task lieeause Muslims were not protected there 1^
Can he ibrny thaty Did Mr. Snhrawardy give in any place or at any time
the same sort of protection to the suhenng flindiis;'" (The llon’ble Mr. H. S.
SniH ■ < \*rtainl\ .)
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: You have allowed.
Sir, 1(1 or lo minutes to other members, but how is i( that you have allowed
Dr. Mookei'iec* to sja»ak so long. He is not the Li*ader of the Opposition,
(('lies of “Ha. ha” iroin (Nnigress benches.)
Mr, SPEAKER: Mr Chaudhnry, pli*aso do not waste tlie time of the
House in this way.
Dr. 8YAMAPRASAD MOOKERJEE: Now, Sit. it is ouite dear that
at least I have said some home truths whi<*h liava* made my friends opposite
angry and impatient.
The Hon’Ifte Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: They are not truths at all
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: Sir, my point is that it is not a
Hindu-Muslim question. The real trouble is that today Mr. Suliraw'urdy
and the gentlemen \vho are with him are jilaying a most dangerous game.
Tliey are, in fact, playing a dual role.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: You are
Dr. 8YAMAPRASAD MOOKERJEE: Sir, they, these Ministers, have
taken oath of allegiance to the Hritish (hown and thf-y are responsible for
the life and property of all alike. My friend. Mr. Mohammed AH,
admitted this very candidly when the adjournment motion was not allowed
to be taken up in this Hon.se, Mr. Snhrawardy is a great Muslim
loader and he owes his allegiance to the Muslim Ii«*ague. The Muslim
Ijcague, rightly or wrongly ordered that if something does not happen to its
liking, it wa.s going to resort to dire<*t action. O^e ( aiinoi serve two rnasb'rs.
Sir, it has l>een pn)ved beyond doubt that Mr. Snhrawardy and his other
Ministers are unable to administer the affairs of this Province impartially and
efficiently. They have failed hopeletialy and wretchedly and on that ground
alone they are not fit to occupy offices for a single moment. (Interruptiona.)
10
tu
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20th Skw.^
Mr. iPEAKERt Order, order.
Of. SYAMAPRA8AD MOOKEMtEs Sir, it is not in Calcutta alone
that atrocities were committed in a largo scale, but we find that troubles are
spreading now in the whole of Benzai. The information w^hich is coming
from diifereiit parts of Bengal would make one shudder to think as to w^hat
will happen to this Province. These gentlemen, the Ministers over there,
should not remain in charge of the alfairs of this Province even a day longer.
(Intemiptions.) If they remain in office the future will be still darker.
(InterniplionH.) The (Council of Action of the All-India Muslim League
bus ordered that i)rej)urations Jiave to be made for giving effect to the Direct
Action programme. Already Muslim League leaders from the Punjab,
North-West Frontier Province and also Sind have openly declared that they
are ready with tlieir scheme which can be put into operation at 24 hours’
noth'c. Am 1 to kdievo that the Muslim licague in Bengal which is a strong-
hold of Mr. Jinnah’s Muslim League is not similarly prepared to give effect
to the order of the Muslim lieague when the occasion demands it? In other
words, my charge is that the present Ministry is utilizing the (Governmental
machinery for the ]>urpose of launciiing upon a Direct Action scheme. (The
Hon'hle Mr. H. S. Suiiuawaudy : No, no.) The ccn«e()uence will be
far more serious than the brutal scenes we have already witne8.sed in the
fctreets of (!alcutla. (The Hon’ble Mr. 11. S. Si’Hkawardy .* No. nri.)
Mr. Suhrawardy is playing a dual role and this dual role of Mr. Suhrawardy
and those who are supporting him has got to be exposed and brought to an
end in tin* interest of peaee and tranquillily.
Why does not the Chiet Minister get the reports of the Commissioner of
Police through the ('riiuinul Investigation Department as regards some
meetings which took i)lace in the city? Mr. Suhrawardy has })eihai)s got
the proceedings confiibmtially of the meetings which were he’d in tlie city
where League leaders were invited to aiteml l<»r tlie jmrjio^e ot jnejiaring a
scheme tor direct action. It he has got any report about what liappeiied
(HI till* Kith, lie will find that (*ven when tlu* Calcutta Maidan meeting was
being held, over which Mr. Suhrawardv jiresided, disturbances had broken
out iu se\eral (daces. .Now what happened in that meeting? Was there
any (\ 1. D. otlicer present t-akiiig down notes? Where are those notes?
Sir, it was an astonishing tact that a gun ^liop witliiii 2 miuite.s' walk
from the (iovernmeut House had lieeii looted. Not a single iiolicenian
turned up in the streets to ('oiitrol the situation in any part of the city. It
will not lielp merely making the ('oniniissioiier of Pidice a srape-goa^ It
is suggested the city hud been aldaze in many places that the Couimis-
sioner of Police did not knpw how to act. But surely Mr. Suhrawardy
knew how’ and wdieu to act. (The llon’ble Mr. H*. S., Snin \w vrjiy^
“Ye«, yes”). Mr. Suhrawardy says that he knew’ and we also know’ when be
acted. If be had failed without making any effort, then he is charged with
criminal negligence and if he failed in spite of efforts, he is certainly
inefficiept and worthless and he should not be kept in tliat position any
longer. There is no p’ace for him in the Ministry.
Sir, there is one point which 1 w’ould like to say with regard to the
Britishers in this House. My friends are remaining neutral. 1 cannot
understand this attitude at all. In a situation such as this they must say
if the Ministry w’a.s right or the Ministry was wrong. If the Ministry was
right, support them and if tW Minivstry was wrong, you should say so toldly
and not remain neutj*al.*^ Merely sitting on the fence shows sign's of abject
impotence. (Laughter.)
My friend. Mr. Olatlding. said tlmt luckily none of bis jieople was
injured. It is true, Sir, nut that is a statement which makes me extremely
sorry. If a single Britisher, man, or woman or a child, had been stmei
they would have throwrn this Ministry out of office without hesitation hut
because nU Britisher was touched, they can take an impartial and i^utral
▼iew I Are they so sure they will be left untouched next timef There is no
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
H5
1M6,]
question of partiality or impaftiality here. The preaent administration has
tailed and it must eome to an end. Anyone who remains neutral is an aider
and abettor.
Tlw Hon*ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Then why did the Congress ask
them to remain neutral during the Constituent Assembly electionsy
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8A0 MOOKERJEE: That is a different |>oint
altogether. 1 would ask my friends, what al>out the future. Pakistan will
not be aerepted under ;m\ ein umstaiHe. (Mr. KaHMAN : It
will l>e accepted.) Mr. Suhrawurdy said in llomhay after the IGth of
August “When a nation fights again.st am»ther nation I cannot guarantee
civilized conduct”. If you are a nation fighting against us, another nation,
if that is the attitude ot my friends on the other side, then they cannot
remain in <»ffiee anv longer. (Cries of “Hear, hear” fnun the Opposition
llemhes.) Mr. Suliruwurdy must realise that his office is meant for the
good of the entire people ot Hengal irrespective of caste, creed and religion,
and not for his own so-called nation. I would say, Sir, (liat is an abject
treachery to the great responsibility that rests on Mr. Suhrawanly. a$
Premier. (Interruptions.)
Mr. 8PEAKER: Order order. Dr. M oi»kerjee. your time is up.
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: May 1 have two minutes more?
I would say this very sciiously Ix^fore I eonrlud«‘ that
Dr. A. M. MALIK: i
Dr. 8YAMAPRA8AD MOOKERJEE: A]>paretit!y I said many
thing**: (»therwise my frielHl^ would not he so jubilant. 'I’ln* Miuiltott
was ilaneing the «ither <lay on the polished flocu ni a Delhi Hotel and 1 bll%
made iii\ Inends daiiee on the floor of this House. I will ii(»w say a ftW
words ill e(UirieetH*n with (In* fuluie. What about (be tutuier' My triends,
the Muslims, say Ibal thej' constitute per cent, oi I ml in’s piipuluiion,
and that is so big a mitiorit\ tliat they will never agree to live under Hindu
dony nation. Now it that is their honest and geiiuim* point ot view how can
they expect that 4b |>er cent of the Hindu pr»pulation of this Provini'c wdll
ever agree to live undei a eon.stituiion wheie that pailieuiar nutioTi
representtsd by Muslim.s, constituting only .>4 p(‘r cent., will alom* dominate?
(The llon’ble Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed: That is how the tnudde
began. ^ I will not today enter into controversies as regards the real ^lopula-
iion of Bengal. 1 claim it that if a firojuT rmisus is taken even (<>-day the
Hindus will not be in a minoritv. That quest ion (auuiot be set Heel |lw
argument from one side or the other. My Muslim frieud.s who are well-
organiseil under the banner of the Muslim ianigue have gut to realise that if
Bengal is to be ruied petteefuliy it can be done only with the willing
co-operation of the two eoinmunitie.s. 1 lun not talking of al!-ltidia politics
for the time being. (The ITon’ble Mr. SnAMSDDDr.N Ahmkd : Why not?
What has happened to all-India polities?) I would make this anpeal to
my friends that a choice has to 1m* made by the Hindus ami the Muslims
together. There is no way out of it because what we wiine.sseil in (hilcttita
was not an ordinary communal riot: its motive was po’.iticul, but things
may lM*come even far more serious and drastic in the days, weeks^ iind
months to come. Now, if the Muslims of Bengal under the lemlership of
the Muslim licague fee! that they can exterminato the Hindus, that is a
fantastic idea wtich can never be given effact to; three and a half crores
can never exterminate three crores nor can three crores exterminate three
and a half crores — ^ (At this stage the red light was again on.)
Mr. 8PEAKER: For three times I have given you extra time.
II#. 8YAMAPRA8AO ffffOOKER^EE: But 1 have been intemipied four
146
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE,
[20th Sbpt.,
Xow, Sir, if it is said that civil war will break out throughout India,
will that help anyone, will that help, in particular, 25 per cent. Muslims
throughout India as against 75 per cent, of Hindus and other non-Muslims?
It is not a question of threat at all ; it is a question of facing a stern reality.
Either we have to fight or we have to come to some settlement. That
settlement cannot be reacdied so long a.s you say that one community will
dominate over the other, but it can only be reached by a plan which will
enable the vast majority of Hindus and Muslims to live under circumstances
which will give freedom and peace to the common man. After all, forget
not wli(» Huft'ercfl most during the (!alcutta Killing. It was mainly the i)oorer
people, ))olh amongst the Hindus and the Muslims, Ninety per cent, of
them were p(»f)r afid innocent and if the leaders lose tlieir heads and go on
creating a situation which they cannot ultimately control, the time will
soon come when the common man will turn round and crush the leaders
instead ol heiTig themselves crushed. It is therefore vitally’ necessary that
this false and foolish idea of Pakistan or rslami<- rule lias to be banished
for ev(‘r Irom your head. In Hengal we have got to live together. We say
as a jiiomlition f)r(‘cedent this Ministry must go. Only then can we create a
state of affairs wliieli will make it p(»ssihie to huild a future Bengal which
will he for the good of all, irrespective of atiy caste, creed or community,
Mr. A. K. FAZLUt HUQ: Mr. Speaker, it has been my lot during my
parliamentary (‘areer— longer perhaps than thiit of any other Indian now
living — to he faced with awkward political situations t)ut I confe.ss that 1
have never felt s(» emharrussed as 1 do at the present moment in rising to
say a few words on the motions before the IHuise. Sir, for more than three
ywirs and a half I have been closely associated with the Opposition.
To-day I am in the thick of the great phalanx on which the Ministers rely
for supjKirt and even for self-preservation. But this is only the objective
aspect of the question. There arc other things. Sir. iar more important and
far more embarrassing.
Sir, during the dark day.s or nights of the Great Killing I w'atched
events from the imint of view of a member of the Opposition. The news
that wime to me trickling dow'ii from various sourcevS w'as unfavourable to
the Ministers in power. 1 w’as very deeply impressed wdth the fact* that
during the wdiole of tliese 4listurlmnces llip machinery of Government had
oompletelv broken down in this city. Sir. I j>ondered deeply over the
oituutiou, and if 1 have risen to say a few w’onis on these motions I wish to
tell my cMunrades in this Assembly wdiat 1 feel very strongly and which I
think ought to he raised before the people of Bengal, if Bengal is to be
saved at all from utter extermination. There have been Hmdu-Muslim
quarrels in the pt\st all over India. In many of these quarrels when oases
had been started I had tlie privilege of tlefending the Muslim accused almost
all over the cxiuntry. But, Sir, I have never in the whole course of my life
seen anything like the purely fiendish fury wdtli w'hich both Hindus and
Muslims have murdered not merely men or women but even small children.
I do not know to .s^itisfy what impulse, — human or devilish, — which seems
to have jxissessed the Bengalees for those fateful days and nights tliat my
countrymen indulged.
Sir, HO far as the Ministers are concerned, I am going to obey the Party
mandate and I will cast my votes against the motions before the Honse.
But that is only because I feel coostitutionally that we cannot, when a
motion like this is tabld^, leave the Ministers of our choice to the tender
mercies of the Opposition. But if that is so as regards the Ministers, the
guwdians of kw and order who control the police force in Calcutta can
claim no protection from us.
Sir, I will not take much time of the House, but I will refer to a few
instances .which have been an e;^e-opener to me. I have felt t^t the
greatest disturbances did not rise m a moment out of the moon hni seem to
1W6.} MigaOm OF NO-CONFIBENOE. 147
be tbe result of a weU-planned action — may be on one side or may be on
both sides. I do not know-^Qod alone knows. The future alone will die*
close what is the truth.
Sir, on Friday morning I receive<l telephone messages from various parts
of the dty from both Hindus and Muslims tliot troubles hod broken out. I
thought it was one of those unfortunate affairs which have shown to the
world that although the Bengalees or Indians generally ore amongst the
most intellectual races of the world, they do not know the virtue of
toleration. But, then the situation worsened gniduolly. I advised those
who were telephoning to me, to seek [Kdiee protection. It wos then I oome
to know that the police were being appealed to and in some cases the police
said that they had received no onlers. Wonder of wonders ! What are the
police here for, what are they being paid tor, if tliey do not know that when*
ever ihere is «i disturbance of the puhlie peace and tram)uillity, their first
duty is to jump into the situation, it neces.siry, aiul to defand public peatMi
and tranquillity with their lives
Then, Sir, in the afternoon of that ilay tlie Mallick • Bauar was looted.
It is within about half a mile of my house. 1 was then standing on the
verandiih and 1 foiiml people in great glee and merriment rushing all sides
with booty in their hands and police paharntralds uecompanying them,
pjveryone was very happ> if they were members ol a marriage procession!
Then, Sir, that night the l*ark (hrcus market was looted. 1 sent one
of my nephews and Mr. Khairul Aivam, Kditor of iiie “Mohammadi , to the
Park Circus outjKi.st. Will tlie lIou.se be surprised to hmr that the Ofticer-
in-charge tliere and he .said tliat he had no time to go and see wlmt. was
happening. Certainly some change had come over the ('alcutta Police!
Then, Sir, the next day, I believe it wa.s Die 17th, (he Muhistidal Raj
Hou-nc was looted. Tliat binhling is al)oul 4t> yards from my house and in
front of that building <»n tlie other side ol the road tliere was a Fraflic Police
()ut|>ost where tliere are at least llK) police ollicers, I lie House will be
surprised l<i hear— and 1 am an e>e-witiie.H.s - that the whole <d that house
was ran.sacked. It t<H)k (wo hours to ehvn that Iiou.m* of all its belongings
ami tlie pdice were looking 1 sent one ol m> ( lerks lf» interfere and
.stop because the Raja was not in the hou.se; be bad left previously. The
reply my clerk got was “tloisp ptniple are taking to whom the property
beloiig.s” and, Sir, people came <iut with <ill their bisUy and 1 received a
report tliat a member ol a certain ]M’o\incial Service went home with a silver
tea tray as a part of the loot.
I am not here concerned with the details ol this nauseating event. I do
not wish to dibcuss how these di.sturbumeh began, who was respansibb*, but
1 cextailily want the House Ui consider wdiy is it tluii the troulile was allowed
to grow to gigantic proporjion.s till w'ithin 24 hours the entire situation was
out of control. Now, Sir, 1 hav<* not been an eye-witness ol everything
that occurred but one who has suffered iimst. I nm not a young man with a
stout heart but, Sir, 1 am .supjKKsed to have something like that sort ol grit
which can face unple 4 i.s<irit situation, hut this time my nerves coinpIeUdy
broke down. We could not .sleep, batch after batch of ruffians knocked at
our doors and every moment seemed to be our last. It s<‘enied, Sir, that not
only bad British rule ended but that some modern Nadir Shah had come
upon (Calcutta and had given up the city lo rapine, plundf*r and pillage.
Sir, each time I tried to get into touch with police officers I was told that
I w'as to (x)nta<‘t the (Control Room. I <1(» not know, iSir, w'ho w'a.s controlling
the Control Room, but whenever 1 wanted some kind of help the reply came
that mv c*omplaint has been noted and will be attended to in proper time.
Then, Sir, I sometimes tried to get into touch with high officials of Govern-
ment House. I was told that none but (iovernment serv^ants were allowed
to use the telephone to get into touch with the household of His Excellency
the Governor. Police officers wouW not listen, the control office would not
oontiol, the Govemwent House would not listen. Sir, in these circumstanoes
146
MOTIONB OF NO-CONFIOBJfOE-
[20th SErr,,
til# great killing went on and it is undisputed that this thing would never
have bappeDed ii the police and the military* had taken strong measures on
Friday, the 16th, when the trouble began. It would bare been nipped in
the bud that very day, and therefore the conclusion is inevitable that
although the police may not be responsible for the origin of disturbances,
they are directly responsible for the great loss of human life and if an
impartial enquiry is held and these police officers can be spotted, my opixiion
is that they deserve to be hanged, drawn and quartered publicly on charges
of murder and abetment of murder.
Sir, I was deeply distressed on seeing what was happening in the
Assembly House this afternoon. These tumultuous scenes were not befit-
ting a solemn occasion like this. Already, Sir, we have blackened our faces
before the whole civilised world and have demon8trate<^l to satisfaction that
the Hindus and the Muslims cannot live together. It would be a tragedy
if a debate of such importance cannot be carried on in an atmosphere free
from passion and prejudifie and calm judgment should not be allowed to get
the better of any racial, communal or other considerations.
Sir, I will not take up the time of the House. Much of what I wanted
to say as regards the police has been said by my friend Mr. Ispahani. There
is one point about police inactivity to which I sliould refer because a passing
reference has been made to it by Mr. Isptihani but be did not give the
details. Quite within a stone’s throw of Lallbazar, the Scotland Yard of
Calcutta, Limton Watch Company at the junction of Bowbazar and Dalhousie
Square was looted. The whole cjeremony of looting took about 2 or 2^
hours. Holice officers came but only to take part in the loot. One of my
friends who aomehow managed to see what was going on told me that half
an hour after the 1<k) 1 pcMjple were seen rushing out with wrist watches and
other articles of value ami most of them were jxdicemen. Now, Sir, these
are matters which re(juire explanation. Possibly the Chief Minister will
not be able to reply, bewiuse he lias not got all the materials before him.
Hut these are matters which require to l»e carefully hniked into, in order
that any future recurrence of what has taken place may be effectively
prevented.
As regards these motions 1 think, Sir, they have been somewhat in-
opjiortune and if 1 may lie permitted to say so somewhat ill-ad vi.sed. As
has been pointed out already b\ some of the speakers we are going to have
a Ikimmission to sit and investigate into all the matters connected with these
disturhjinces. We are discussing here practically many of the imporUut
issues which are nub judirr before that Tribunal.
Sooonilly, Sir, 1 ieel that while we are discussing tbe.se affairs in this
House issues of far grmter moment and imi>or(ance are hanging in the
Imlance in the talks that are going on in Delhi. While we are shouting
here, the fate of India is going to be decided not by re.solution8 here and
there, but in White Hall and in Delhi. It would have Wen better if w« had
waited and seen wliat would be the upshot and the result of the talks which
are now going on between the Viceroy and the party leaders. I am
optimistic in ibis respect, I feel, Sir. that all will end well. If there is a
Coalition (loyernment at the Centre, there is no reason wliy there should
not be a Coalition Government in all the Provinces. (Oies of “hear, hear”
from the Government Party Henclies.) Sir, 1 have been a great believer in
Coalition Gownmeiit. In March. PMd, only a week before I resigned, I
wnite two letters to Sir John Herbert and I told him that Bengal was faced
with a critical situation twid if Bengal was to be siived, there sWuld be in
office m>t a Cabinet of <me Party or other but a Cabinet represented by all
Uie parties in the cxiuntry. I also said that if for any reason I am a
hindrance to the formation of that Cabinet, I am not only prepared to resign
but to gimrantee that 1 will not ask for any seat In that Cabinet. To that
opinion, Sir, I adhere. I will wbrk ceaselessly miw that I am a member of
the only representative political organisation of the Muslim for the formation
1946 .]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
149
of Coalition Oovemments. 1 mnt to see Mca astabliahed in tha oountrTi
I am not for war; I am for peace. I will <lo my best to restore friendly
relations between the various oommunities. I have not wined the Muslim
League for self^edvertisemeni or self^iggraudisemeut. Tae Muslim League
cupboard is now empty. They can offer me nothing. The most opportune
moment to join the the Muslim League would have been before the election..
1 might have had an easv entry into this House followed by an honoured
place in the Cabinet. I liave now oome at a time when the future of the
Muslim League is enveloped in darkness. The whole Muslim League array,
if I may call it so, are waiting for u clarion call ami if the bugle is sounded*
we shall he marching to a terrible d<H>m. 1 have not come here for personal
gain. When the news came that I have joined the Muslim Leiigue some of
the new8p;ipers said that it was a sort of somersault. Some said I have
betrayed the confidence of my erstwhile ix)lU\igues. 1 luive done nothing of
the kind. My (x)lleiigues, new and old, ma\ rest assured that I will do
nothing to betray not merely the interests of the Muslims hut the interests
of any community. I^east of all I hope 1 will do nothing which will hinder
the march of India towards freedom ami Iihert\ . I shall hope for pwice, I
wish for pwue ami I shall strive for peace. If 1 ('iuinot establish jieooeful
relations between the communities, e\en with the help of the organisation
to which 1 belong, even with the tmnemlous inilnence whi(‘h that organis-
ation wields in the Muslim community in India, if 1 fail, it is my resolve
U) retire entirely from politics. 1 will Uike no i>art in bickering. I will not
forget those happy days when 1 used to work with the memhers of the
Opposition. I am limking forwarl to happy du>s of close cx>nta(*t, and co-
ordination with the members of the Muslim League. It is m> desire so to
ot)mluct the meetings ami discussions in my fuirty that all attemnis to bring
about peace relations between the pirties may prevail. Aft(‘r all even these
disturlMUices have shown that Indians e^'pecially Bengahn's, are not so Imd
as a mere contemjdation of that hohx'uust may lead one to think. There
have been golden (h^eds which <lo honour U) any race or any nation or tribe
of any part of the world. There is an example of .Imlge M. N. llanerjee,
om* <if the advoitites rd our (Vuirt, who gave up his life in order to S4ive a
Muslim youth. There is the storv of a Muslim woman in whose house
Hindus iunl taken refuge. The mob came and knocked at her dwr and
asked her to open the door. Slie refused. She stmxl at the door and Ixirred
the entram^e of these ruffians, .something like ('atherine Douglas of Scottish
history. These ruffians broke open the d<H)r ami tnimpled n|M)n her Inidy,
That took .sometime, meanwhile the Hindu refugees escaped. While mon
and women exist who will .sutler and thus die, hope for our future cannot
be lost. Let us remember that in the presence in India of so many mc.es,
tribes and religion, there is something of the divine, that there is a divine
puxpo.se behind every thing. Let our endeavour he for the achievement of
a more prosperous country ami a much happier ptMjple.
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Mr. Spe<iker, Sir. In the heal and
passion of the deluite there i.s a danger of our forgetting and c<)nfusing the
real issue before the House. Now that w’e are mMiring the end of this
del>ate, I would like to remind the ILinse of the issue which we are discuss-
ing and the i.ssue on wdiich we shall be <5nlle<I uiKin to vote. Putting it
negatively, it is not, who or what started the riot. The issue liefore the
House is not, which of the two communities .suffered tnost. The issue l)efore
the House is cerfainly not, whether imue Muslim^ than Himlus, or more
Hindus than Muslims were killed. Mr. Spc^iker, Sir, it has been said that
this vote of censure i.s inopjHirtune. That a CoinmiHsion of Enquiry has Ixteii
appointed and we should have waited for the verdict of tlmt (ktmmission.
We, Sir, on this side of the House, strongly differ from that view. The
vote of censure is a political action by which we are seeking to remove thia
Ministry, which we consider is responsible for the terrible trage<ly that took
place in this city, and is even now threatening the entire province of Bengal.
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIOENCE.
[ZijTB. SBPT.
No Commission of En^iry can do that. After all, what can this CommiS'
sion of Enquiry do.^ The utmost the Commission of Enquiry can do is tc
say that such and such steps should have been taken or that such
and such a thing should not have been done. I ask the JSon^ble
Members to remember what politiml or practical benefit did we get out of
the Dacca Eiot hlnquiry Commission. Does anybody remember that as a
result of that Commission a single officer was found guilty of negligence of
duty, or was any officer dismissed because he failed to do his duty when the
Dacca Diot took place? I think not. Coming nearer, Sir, consider the
Great Famine Enquiry tliat took place the other day. As a result of that
enquiry, is the Government showing more forethought as regards supplies?
Is there less <x)rruption in the administration ? Have the persons W'ho were
guilty of wasUige, of corruption, of nejmtism been punished? I do not want
to be misundersbx)d. I do not mean that we are opposed to this kind of
enquiry, hut a (Commission of Empiiry can after all give a judicial verdict.
What we re(juire t/o-day is a [ndilical action ff)r the reme<ly of this evil.
Mr. SjHMiker, Sir, I am wiying thi^ only Ixuause 1 am surprised to find that
a political fwrty chmises to remain neutral on an occasion like this. If ever
there W4LS an occasion to pass a judgment, U) gi\e a verdict, this was the
occasion. If you are iciilly convinced that there was no breakrlown of law
and order in the city of (aihnitta then please say so. If you think that tlie
JVilice did their <luty and did it adequalel\, then you should say that. If
you think that the llon’hle the ('hiel Minister in charge of law and order,
is not really resimnsilile for the I>aw and Order of this Pnivince, then it is
your clear duty to \ote f<ir the (io\ernment. Hut neutrality on such an
issue shows utter political vacuity and callousne.s^. It is a clear dereliction
of y()ur duty as a meniher of this Eegis^ituie. Now, Sir, what is this issue?
The i.ssue is simple. The issue is, was there, or was there not. a total break-
down of law and order in the city of (alcutta? If so, do the Ilon’lde the
Chief Minister and his (x)lleagues, who are lesponsible for the maintenance
of Liw and order, deserve censure for this breakdown which (aused the loss
of property worth crores of rupees, inpiiy to ‘J(l,OII() and <leath to o.l)t)()
Hindus and Muslims of this city, or do they not? It is not nece^Narv to
devote much time to conviiu’e the honourable members, especially those who
wer<‘ in (alcutta 4it the time, that there was no law and order in (’alcutUi
from the Ifith of August iH)r se\eral days; that Government had completely*
ceased to function; that shops were l<M>ted—gunshop.s— shops in Dalhou^ie
S(|U4ue within a .stone s throw from Jialliazar Holna* Headquarters — house.s
were set on fire, mass murders were (‘ommitted, communal gixmps fVuight in
tlio streets with lethal we4i|>ons. Many member.^ were e\ e-witnesses to
incidents, horrors oi which will haunt' them throughout ' their lives. I
personally witnesseil two mass attacks and attempts at arson. This was on
the lith morning. One was a house next to ours and the other on a house
within two minutes' walk from my hou^e. Hut, Sir, it is not necessary to
mentum incidents. When bdMKI persons are killed and 2(1, (H)0 injured in a
city within the tourse of 4 days no description of incidents, and no argument
is necessary to prove tiuit there wms no law and order in (\ilcutta for those
days. It is I hope admitted on all sides of this House Hurt there was a
complete brwtkdown of law* and order.
Tlmt brings us to the next question — whether those who are responsible
for kw and order took anv step to prevent the rioting. But before 1 go into
tbut I w’ould like to deal briefly with the background of this disturbance,
because that w*i 11 prove that the police should have known that celebration
of the Direct Action Iky was not going to be a peaceful one. The Muslim
League had been pre|>ari^ for this day. It had issued on appeal to all
Muslims to observe the day. It had organised a Volunteer Corps. But, I
afraid, Sir, we did not see any appeal from any responsible leader of the
League asking the Muslim public not to interfere with tlu>se who did not
agi^e with them in this matter. On the contrary, there were highly exciting
ATtioles in the Muslim League papers preaching unrestrained hatred of other
im,]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIl>ENCE.
lit
^mmumties. Even my friend Kbwtaja Naiimuddin, whom we all liave
known as an upholder of law and order, hinted that the League was not
rostricted to non-violence. It was also obvious that there was an organisation
behind this hooliganism. They shouted the shme slogans, they acted in the
same way. It was obvious that they ^ere obeying orders. They had
sufficient supply of petrol. They had numerous lorries. In Benlapukur
area they cximpelled Hindus to sign I^kistau pledges which were later on
published in the “Az4id’\ They forcibly <Hm verted persons to Islam.
Now, what was the Police doing all the time these preparations wero
being made A\ e woiihl like to know, it the Criminal Investigation Depart-
ment had made any rejxut regarding preparatuuis that were l^ing made for
armed procession. Every member in this House, every perwm m Calcutta
knons that no prec^iutionarv measure was taken. Then' was not a single
police man anywhere in Calcutta. Even the ordinarv precaution which is
taken during the Moharrum or the Puja ])ro<essiuii oi sending .some p«)iice-
men with the j)ro(‘essioii nus iK>t taken. Even after looting and assault
began on the morning ol the Kith, even after the gun-shop in Chowringhee
was IcKited, the jxilice did not make an\ elective move. All appeals for help
from tlie p<dice pn^ed us«dess. L(X)iing, murder, ar.son Uok place before
them without their making an\ arrest. E\er\lK>dy who uppixmched th«
p<dice got the .‘ijime iepl\ -“No oi<h*is“. On occasion huiulrtMl times less
seri()U‘< — we have seen machine-guns in the streets of Calcutta. Military or
IH)lice petrol — I do not know wliicli i;iiue out in the evening of tlie sewmd
day, hut they «lro\e along the main isiads at 4(t miles an hour without stop-
ping to arrest liooligans oi rescue those who were in dangei.
Now, how c<iu one explain this*' It cannot b<‘ mere im'fhciency. There
must have been some deep-laid conspiracx somewhere. If the II on 'hie the
Chiel Minister was no jKirtx t4> it, tlien he should throw' sonu* light on Ibis
my.sterions atlair. We had lM*en told that the jHilice W 4 »s not strong enough
to de;il with the crt>wd, I hev had not, it is .siiid, sufficient number, sufficient
re.s<.)nrces That explanation, we Ixdieve, is lals(‘. Evervlxidy saw that
even the most murderous crowd ran aua\ at the sight of half a do/.en armed
pohceiiieii. A single seig<'ant W4is able U> effect a resem* irom among a
number of lusdigans. As a matter ot tact any uniiorm was respected.
During all these riots not a single j>oliceman. not a single officer, had suff(^red
any injurv . '1 lie real ta< t is that the mob knew Homeliow - - 1 do not know
how — lliat the\ would not be inteifertnl with, and I do not think that they
were wrong Had not then own leader, the Chief .Minister of Heiigal, given
the marching order!'' Wa- not their own (iovernment in power in Bengali^
Were they not promised iluring the electiini that Pakistan would he
estahlisheil and that the house^ and j>r4»perties <d the Ilimlus w-ere at the
disposftil of the haithlul !" Even their lives were at their mercy. Did not the
Ijcague (government forgetting its duty to otlier (■'orumuuit les declare the
Kith oi August a public holiday!*' Why? — even the Coiniuis.sioner of Police
helped to make the celehralion successful l»y jiersuuding the bus drivers not
to ply their buses. Mr. S|)eaker, i.s it any wonder then that the hooligami,
when they are arresteil for loot and carnage, murder and ar.son, exclaim in
surprise that tliey hud done ail these under instruction, and it w'as under-
stood that the police would do nothing to them. mucdi for the police.
Now, Sir, let me in piissiiig examine the machinery, 1 mean tlie adminis-
trative machinery of Bengal, which is exjiected to deal with the communal
situation. We have a suspicion that the jw.sting ol officers has been made
in .such a way that in Mjiiie districl.s all the administrative officers from the
District Magistrate to the thana officers are Muslims. I would like to know
how' many District Officers to-day are Muslims, how many Hindus, and how
many Europeans. I would like the Hon’ble the (!hief Minister to l^Il us the
number of Superintendents of Police, and Iwiw many of them are Muslims,
how many Hindus and how many Europeans, 1 would also like him to state
the number of thaiuks of Bengal, and how many thana officers are Muslima^
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE
[20th Srpt.
and liow many Hindus. I do iK>t wish to cast any reflection on aU Muslim
officers that they are all communal nor am I foolish enough to claim that
Hindu officers are all non -communal but it is undeniable that the canker of
communaiism hds affected ihe 'services. No Hindu feels safe, if the officer
is a Muslim, and I believe that a Muslim feels the same if the officer is a
Hindu. But unfortunately for the Hindus, with the advent of the League
Ministry most of the key positions not reserved for Europeans have gone to
the Muslim officers. Even during the riots in Calcutta, Hindu officers have
been transferred and our protest was of no avail. Therefore, Sir, this
conspiracy of crushing the minority community in Bengal began not with
the Direct Action Day. It began much earlier. It began from the first day
the League Ministry took office. It was their deliberate plan to fashion the
administrative machinery in such a way that the minority community would
be reduced to utter iielplessness. One of the worst things that the League
-Government has done is t(3 in1rodu(*e communaiism into the state machinery.
It has totally (M)rrupted the Government machinery, and God knows if we
would ever have an administration which would deal fairly and honestly with
all communities. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to deal with all the points one
would like to within the short time at our disposal but the tense situation
in hkist Bengal cannot be ignored. Stories of looting and murder in the
rural area have appeared in the pres.>. In some jKirts of East Bengal travel-
ling by railway or IkkiIs has been extremely unsiife. The situation in the
city oi Dactui has deteriorated. Mass attacks, looting, arson, stabbing are
takinj^ place unchecked by the police. To add to all this, discrimination in
imposing fine has been alleged. I beg to draw the special attention of the
Government to this disturbing feature.
Now, Sir, if the House is convinced as it is IkiuiuI to be convinced that
law and order did break down, if it is (tonvinced that those in charge of law
and order did not take any timely step to prevent the terrible events of
August, we come to the final issue, — who is responsible for this terrible
^• 4 ilamity? We cxune to the inevitable conclusion that the resj>onsibility
must fall on the lion’ hie the Chief Minister and on his colleagues. It i.s
not that they are guilty of acts of omission only, they are guilty of acts of
commission also. They played the dual lole. They with others organised
the demon.stration of the Direct Action Day. They delivered sj)eeche8 in-
flaming the ignorant mind. They and their lieutenants roused (X)nimunal
frenzy to the utmost limit. That is one side. On the other side, being at
the hwid of the Government of the j)rovince — being responsible for law and
order — they remained inactive as a matter of |K)licy. I say they went
further — they used the Government machinery for communal purpmse — they
iabotaged law and order from inside.
Mr. Speaker, the pmspect of Bengal is utterly gloomy. I see no prospect
of return of (MUifidence — no establishment of t'ommunal harmony, no good
and honest Government if this Mini.stry continues to be in power. I charge
this Ministry being solely responsible for the arson, looting, murder and
rape tlmt t<M>k place during tlmse unforgettable days. I charge them with
oorrupting the entire admiiii.stration of Bengal with communal bitterness.
I know it is easy to maintain oneself in power by a communal majority.
But Beii^il is not limited to this House. The verdict of the people — the
verdict of all jleceut-miiided people of all (‘om muni ties will be on our side.
Mr. Speaker, I supimrt both the motions that have been moved in this
House.
\ Th# H0fl*bl« Mr. H.- &. 8UHRAWARDY: Mr. Speuktu, Sir, let me
f as I begin, pay on Whalf of every single memWr in this House and of the
House itself our humble tribute of penitence and regret to those innocents
who lost their lives in the terrible carnage that lieset Calcutta on the Ifith of
August and the subsequent days, and our sympathies and condolences to the
members of the bereaved likmilies, to the widows and the orphans, the
MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCE,
1946. J
fatherlese and motherless sons and the sonless fathers and mothers who live
to mourn their loss. Let this terrible thing which has happened h o^lesson
to those who may still think that we are plaviug with
Ministries, with no>coniidence motions, with the battle-door and the abut*
tlecock of power under the shadow ot the British Raj. Today politics ie
much more earnest and real. TcmIuv it is not merely the transference of
power which is involved but the lives of the people. It is not merely a
question of forensics and fulminutions, of delniting ability, of making a
point here or there. It is not a matter of taciical victi>rieft, of gloating over
advantages won by shabby trickeries. Today polities is real, vital and
earnest. I will lienee not attempt to make points but to narrate before the
House the fuetuul position as I under.Ntand it. 1 urn doing so in the hope
that all of US will <lraw a lesson from what bus liapfiened and gone htdoi'e, and
so mend our hearts and our minds and our ways that there may be no re|>eti-
tion of those horrible days w liieh will haunt us as a nightmare till the end
of our lives. Mar it come to pa8.H that those who have died have not died
in vain, and on their graves lei us build a memorial of abiding peace and
co-operutiou and strive to work for the common welfare of the varioua
pfoples that inhabit this sulM'uiitineiit.
A terrible catastrophe has occurred, the most terrible in the annals of
India within rei’ent times, and tlu* blame must nnhirallv full on the (loveru-
ment of the <ltiy until it can prove that it diil all in its power and within
the limits of its resouri'es. 1 feel that whmi passions still run high, wlu*n
political affiliations govern votes, it is only an ini])arfial tribunal that can
ever arrive at file correct facts and give a proper apprt*ciaf ion (»j the inci-
<leiits. and hence 1 lost no time in taking steps (o s(*t u]» a ('ommission of
KTiquirv of unimpeachable judgment and integrity. 1. liowi-ver, do not
seek that r<‘tuge in placing the fa<*ts helore the House as I see it. for 1 owe
an ev]>lanat ion to the House itself and the TiMUiihers of tin* puhlii’ outsid**
It seems to me that the imideiits which took pline were the Itounden
results ot a chain of circumstances in various fields of lifi\ resulU indcoil
the magnitude ot which no one could foresee and which was outside the
e.xperiencc of cveiyone. The fiist aiul the mosi im]»oilant link in the chain
are undoubtedly tlios<‘ taclois wlii«h produced political tension hetw«*cn tlie
Hindus and the Muslims ot an unimaginahle and unloreseeahle degree.
M'he (litleiing ideologies ot Ihikistan and ilindusthan were being assm’ted
by Muslims and by Hindus in their separate camps with unyielding vigour
and determination hacked by threats of civil war. Kach party went t^i the
polls in the last eh*ction and u])pi*aled for support to the electorate on this
is'.iie. Tiic Mu.slinis alim>.st nnaniimms \oted ioi Ihikistun. , Kven Ihosi*
who defeated the Muslim League candiilatc.s went to the polls w'ith
Pakistan i)n their lips, nay, (»lleii as greater piolagonisls of Pakistan
.than the lAuiguers theniselv<*s. The (’ongress won its victories on the issue
of undivided Hindusthan. I leave aside the poor Scheduled (’astes and tho
Adihasis who vainly struggled for self-ex firessioii hut were overwhelmed by
the C'a.ste Hindu votes or (leemed it expedient to aisejit the (kmgress tickets
and (’ongress l)enefactioiis. But all this remained academic until firstly
the I’arliamentary Party and Kuhse(|uenlly the (hihinet Missifui laiin* out
frame a plan for evolving a new' constitution and f<»r installing an Interim
frovernment. This is not the time or the pla(*e to go into the details of
the lalwiirs of the f'ahinet MisKion hut the hackgrtnind of Hie tension In^twecn
the Hindus and the Muslims cannot he complete unless I touch upon
some of the aspects. The (\mgress met immediately after the long-term
prtiposals w’ere announced. Mr. (iandhi first gave his blessings to tho
pioposals and the very next day found them full of hlciiiislies and pitfalls.
The Muslim lioague allowed the pniposals to 1 m* properly digested and then
convened a meeting of it.s Working Committee and of the C^mncil in the
beginning of June. The f'ongress promptly adjourned its sitting till after
the datee fixed by the Muslim League. Believing in the good faith of the
Cabinet Mission, believing that it meant to iaaplement its assurances and
154
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20th Sept.
pledges, the Muslim League accepted the long-term plan, and the statesnmn-
ihip of Mr. Jinnah was immediately acclaimed throughout the world. The
CongreBS met and put constructions on the long-term plan widely different
from the constructions put by the Cabinet Mission, and with its own reserva-
tions and constructions pretended to accept the long-term plan which was
no acceptance at all. I need not go deeper into the story, for the manner
in whicn the Muslim Ixjague was betrayed by the Cabinet Mission on the
very last day^ viz., on the 25th of June, is now established histor}\ Muslim
Incfia was thunderstruck at this shhmeless betrayal. We \vere under the
belief that those days had passed w'hen politics was a game of chicaneiy and
trea<'hery. Britain had travelled far from the days of Clive, it had in-
creased in moral stature and had sacrificed the lives of its children in two
world wars in defence of treaties and of solemn pledges. Politics was now
more open. Negotiations were taking plac’e before the very eyes of an
anxious W'orld, and no Muslim at least dreamt that his nation would he
betrayed so brazf‘n-facedly by three of Britain’s most eminent ainbassadoi's,
and yet this did come to pass. T have not met one single Englishman who
has not hung his head in shame at the manner in which the Muslim T^eague
was betrayed by the Cabinet Mission. And so in the end the great panjan-
drums of Britain decided to hand over power to the (hmgress and to exclude
the Muslim League, and in the end the Muslims in desp(‘ration deiided
rather to tread the thorny path of sacrifice, even of annihilation, tlirougli
direct action than ]>ur\ for ever their cherished goal of Ihdvistan. So, on
one side tlie Muslims were burning witli resentment against the Briti'ili
Government for its signal betrayal. It is true that the Congress had allied
itself with tlie British Government and had acce])ted an Interim (iovern-
inent to the (‘xclusion of the Muslims. But the Muslim League, so far as
I kiiow its mind, though resentful of the ('ongre>s attitude, still deemed
British Imperialism its chief foe for having play»Ml fast and loose with the
Muslims. But what of the Congressp Alas! they t<»ok tlndr position too
seriously! Or seriously their conH<‘ience was troubling them for having'
a('eept(*d ofliec through devious means t<» th(‘ (‘xcdusioi* f»t tin* Muslims.
They deemed that their entry in the Interim (fovernnnmt as M(‘mbers of
the \ ir(‘r(>y’s E\e('u(ive Couneil had given them ut>limit«‘d ])o\\er; it tlie
Mtislims raised their heads, th(‘\ would bo eiushed and ciushed ea^ih
Direct action they considered us directed against them and n<»t against the
Britisli power whose smi'ossors tliev f(»ndl\ iinagin<‘d tll(Mn^td^e^ to la*. 1
b(‘lieve they fearial that if direct ai'tion M<nild succeed, it might induce
His Majesty's Government to modify their offer of j)o\\(‘r to the CongreS'.
and they would lose tin* throne which they had captured and which in their
imagination far <mtshom‘ the wealth of Ormuz and of Ind. And su('li
indeed was tlieir panic that they considered the shadow of direct action t(»
be direct action itvseli. August Hi was declared by the Muslim
Ticague as a day for explaining the viewpoint of the Muslim l.eague and
that tlie Muslims should prepare themselves to pass fn*m constitutional to
unconstitutional action in defence of the Muslim cause when the call came.
Some mischievous persons — I nin sure that this was not <lone by the Muslim
licague as 1 have had it from the t)uaid-e-Azani himself — desigmiteil that
day as Direct Action Day giving the impression that on that day direct
action W'ould l)e undertakim. Indeed, Sir, some of the speeches of the
honourable members opposite prove that they are still labouring under the
iranression that the Muslims intended to resort to direct action on that day
and that they did so and .some even think that that day was observed only
in Bengal. It is a thousand pities that the Hindus of Bengal and of
Calcutta were determined tn see that August the 16th should not be a success
under the mistaken Indief that if the Muslims made that dav a success
Pakistan would be established. The 16th August had Wen de<lared hv me
a holiday. That was done for the purpose of minimising conflicts, but the
Hindu newspapers and leadero deliberately interpreted it in a different light
and exhortnl their young men to^ oppose it in all possible ways. I knew
that the feeling was running so high amongst the Muslims that holiday or
194C.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDKNCK.
m
no holiday, they were determined to leave their work and attend the
demonstration and meetings convened on that day throughout Bengal. It
was not proclaimed, as some suggest, to make the deinonst ration a success
so as to enable the Muslims to join it without ditliculty. They would have
joined the demonstration in any event. 1 knew what had hupueued in
previous hartals. 1 shall have occasion to refer to this later. When one
section called a harUiI, other .sections, even though auxuius to gi> about
their work, had been comi>elled to observe the harttd by violence and intimi-
dation. It a holiday was proclaimed, there would be iit» necessity or (H'(ja-
Mon to eonipel any section to leave a oi k and llicre wtiuld 1 h^ n(» need for
violence and intimidation. I felt that hoae^er much we may ask the
Muslims to keep to themselves and we did ask them fo do sc. there w'ould
he an iiudination on their part to appeal \o ILndus to observe hartal with
them, for had the\ not observed hartal t>n previous oei’Usiims along with the
Hindus agaiiiht their imdination and conid tl»«‘v not, therefore, expect
similar eo-operaticn? I hoped that if I proclainuMl u ludiday, the Hindus
in their turn would gladly avail themselves of the fac ility thus ofTered and
would (dose their shops without being persua(Jed to do so by Muslims. On
the previous day I appealed to the Ilindu leaders for sympathy and co-
operation. Alas! the Hindu leachus ('ouhl not sc*e eye to (‘ye with me.
Alas! on the 14th and the loth August thi'v (‘\horted the Hindus, to keep
their shops open and not on any account to listen to the Muslims. Alas!
the Hindus W(‘re (iiarged to ivsist the slightest a]»)>eal to keeji their shops
(dosed. Alas! the Hindus wc'n* made to eonsidc‘r that if they had kept
their whelps (do'.c^d, that would he (*(juivalent to (d)s(*rving hartal. It wamid
ni(*an supporting tlic d(‘mand of the Muslims; it would nuain admitting the
deiiiand ot Pakistan 1 m‘(‘d not r(*fer to the r(‘ports of tin* sp(‘e(‘heH made
hv the t<cp leadeiN. The translation of a h'aflet widely eirenlatiai by the
Hindu MahasaNa will he sufh(d(*nt evidene(’' to (‘iifona* my point. I give
a complete translation of the hmfhd :
“Kith August. Beware I’’
“I he Muslim I/cague has d«‘elar(‘d the Kith of August a.s th(‘ ‘direct Action
{^'^ofu/raw’W i\v ) Day and on that v(*rv day public has been asked to observe
hartal, d’liat da> has been proclaimed as sinh for the Muslim League to
attain Pakistan.
That was far fnnn the mind of any Muslim. Tlie Bengali Hindus and
every iion-Miislim is oyiposed to Pakistan. Hnder these (■ireumHtane(‘s to
observe hartal on the Ititli as proclaimed by the L(*ague or to help them in
any way would dhuiii supjiorting their demand. Tlo^ Bengali Hindus ('an
never do that.
The League Ministry had the aiidaeitv to declare tliai day as a holiday.
The aim of it is very clear. By this method that day (Jovi'rnmeiit Hindu
emiiloyees will he forced to (d)serve hartal. The Hindus will have to give a
clear reply to thi.s high-handedness of the Muslim League. It is tin* clear
duty of every Hindu that he will (lo hi.s usual normal duty and no Hindu,
non-Muslim or anti-League Muslim shall observe hartal nor will he allow
anyone to observe h/irtal, and for this they mu.st unitedly try. We a])peal
to the general public that on that day they will normally work and not bend
their head's and stand up to any forcible compulsion that may he triced against
them.
Remember that to oh.serye hart-al means to admit the demand of
Pakistan.”
It is an extraordinary leadet and gives political incitement to the young
men of that community.
The signatories are-—
SKri Satish Lahiri, General Secretary, All-India Hindu Mahaaabha.
Shri Narendra Nath Da#, Joint Pretidttni, Bengal Provincial Hindu
Mahasabha.
156 MOWONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE. [20th Sbw.,
Shri Makhan Lai Biswas, Secretar>% Bengal Provincial Hindu
Mabasabha.
Shri Dbirendra Kumar (ibosh. Secretary, Provincial Hindu Sbakti
Sangha.
Shri Satkori Rai, President, Provincial Hindu Student Federation.
It is not necessary for me to say more other than emphasize the following
sentences, “nor will the Hindus, non-Muslims, or anti-League Muslims
allow anyone to observe hartal and for this they must unitedly try”. This
is clearly directed against the Muslims observing hartal^ and remember this
must have been so considered by the young Hindus in whose hands the
leaflets were distributed and later “Rememljer that to observe hartal means
to admit the demand of Pakistan.”
This was the political background on the Ibth of August, 1946, a back-
S round which would never liave seen the light of the day had not the Cabinet
[ission betrayed the Muslim League on the one hand, installed the Congress
on the other without the Muslim League and sowed the seeds of dissension
between us two and quietly slijiped away to wat(;h the results. I do not
blame or charge the Cabinet Mission with vwla fides when they came out in
this country, but I certainly do say that before they left, what they left
behind divided tlie Hindus and Muslims into such w’arring camps that for a
long time to come until the Hindus and Muslims sit together and settle the
difierences amongst themselves, the sore will not be healed and w'e may And
ourselves continuously fighting with each other with the mi»st deplorable
prospect. (A vok k fkom jiik ('onohkiss Bk.nciifs : You accept joint
electorate.)
The, second series of links in the chain which was responsible for the
catastrophe was the general spirit ot lawlessiu'ss in the Province.
Immediately after the general (‘hM lions in (ireat Britain, that is to say, after
August, 1945, wlien the Labour Party gained an overwlielmlng victory at
the polls, certain im]>ortant decisions wen* taken at the very higliest levels
in this land and outside regarding the interference of the jmlice with ])olitical
demonstrations. On the one hand, the Labour Ihirty’s policy with regard to
India had been clearly defined in the Party’s eb‘ction manitosto wht*re com-
plete imlependence was assured as soon as it (ould he contrived after a eettle-
meut betw’eeii tlie Indian groups; on the otlier hand, the political leader^
within the country refused to believe in the .sincerity of the British Goveni-
inent, and inflammatory public speeclies were made from all platforms. It
would Hj>pear that the Ooverumeiit did little either to defend itself or to stem
the rising wave of lawlessm^ss. In fact this decision formed the beginning
of a series of lawlessiit'ss which swept this country and paralysed all the
demoralisations which overtook the authorities of law and order. It is quit^
clear that a policy of non-iuterferehce with political demonstrations was
pursued ami civil liberties were made c(»-terminus with lawlessness. The
propaganda in favour of the Indian National Army followed on Government’s
action against certain of its members. We still remember vividly the
incidents of Noveiul>er, 1945, when students were utilized to enter the pro-
hibited area, and these attempts were repulsed in Dharamtolla Street by the
police with the use of firearms on the 20th of November, 1945, and a second
attempt also by tbe use of firearms on the 2l8t November for which use they
were subsequently pilloried and condemned by the local public opinion. On
both occasions the police were attacked by -riotous members of the assemblies.
Public sympathy W’as aB in favour of the students, and the persons killed or
wounded by the firing^ were proclaimed martyrs. Soon after violence and
arson broke out in various parts of Cab'utta directed mainly against the
mititary and tlie police personnel. The Bhowanipore police-station in South
Calcutta was attacked bv a mob and a Deputy Commissioner was injured,
and scores of military venicl^ were burnt. As tbe police were the tar^^t for
most of 4d)e attacks, the official policy was framed during the section 93
rogime of not allowing police personnel on the streets in troublous times,
MOTIONS OF N04m'FIDKN(’K.
1946.]
im
except in parties sufficiently numerous or adequately armed to defend them*
selTes, and this was the policy which was apparently followed in dealing with
the situation of the 16th of August. Then after that came the February
disturbances. Two processions of students entered the prohibited area on
the 11th of February, 1946, and were dispersed by jiolice Inthi charges. A
subsequent procession was taken out and althougl) it is adiuitted that tlie
processionists had nothing to do with the vicdence which followed, no sooner
had the proce8.sion8 dispersed than the military and (Government lorries were
burnt commencing in (Vntral Avenue area, and attacks were luade on Anglo-
Indians. For the next tw(» days violent attarks (oillinned on (i(»vernment
and European institutions and on the persons of (Government officers in
uniform and on Europeans and Anglo-Indians. Altatdts were made on
police-stations and post offices and on several institutions. The riot which
followed received general support from the public. The military were
brought out some day's after the riots liad commem'fd, and the disturhuncfMi
were quelled by the combined efforts of the military and the police. Than
there was the H.l.N. mutiny where for the first tim»‘ one section of the
armed forces had simwn the tendency, already exlnhited by the general
public, of losing all discipline and respwt for authority. The mutiny was
succeeded bv furtlier instances of disaffection in the army tiiid the police.
The political lenders by openly encouraging disaffection in the armed f<»ree8
and the police were thus ^ul^verting and rendering impotent and inefficient
the forces which w’ould have to be relied oti in tlie event i)f any internal
disorder. This is a matter which J would like the House to appreciate.
Another s])ecies of lawlessness that appears to have taken root in (^alcutta
was that aroused by tlie rash and lawless driving by the military. Xo amount
of orders by the superior authorities or of cajolery by IGovernmeut, no amount
of rules and regulations ccmld eontrol the high and dominant spirits of the
•military (lriv(*rs until the people (lH*mse)v«‘s look the law into (heir ow'n hands
and hecame lauK-ss themselves, and whenever u pedestrian was knocked down
thrashed th(‘ driver and luirnt tin* vehicle. ( luloubtedly tills aitiou was
most repreheii^ihle, hut it workc*d and rash driving abated of itself; and
lawlessness found itM-lf at a premium. The general wave of unrest found
expression also in lal)our strikes. The first big j»ost-w'ur strike was the >
Tramway .strike of September, 194o. The strike (ever grew in 1946, and
there were couiitlesn industrial stoppages and an astronomica] numWr of lost
working days. Eadi major strike was eagerly HUpporte<l by the more
extremi.st political parties, and attempts were made to distort it into a
freedom struggle. Large mobs of workers ran loose in the streets of
Calcutta. Public transport services were interrupted on the slightest provo-
cation, A threatened railway strike in June was averted by the (Government
of India acceding to a great many of the workers’ demands. The postal
workers then put forward a list of demands. The right and possibly the
justification for the.se workers to .strike i.s not the point in ksuc, hut the
effect on the public as a whole was to increase the feeling of disregard and
disrespect for authority which had been engendered by the November and
February disturbance.s*. On the 29th of July, 1946, a general strike was
organised by the All-India Trade Union (A)ngress to give support to the
postal workers. In gent^ral the strike proceeded peacefully, hut the picket-
ing indulged in at Writers’ Buildings and the Clive Street mercantile offices
was decidedly forcible, and varying degrees of force were used to iMsrsuade
loyal workers — Anglo-Indians, Hindus and Muslims — from aiieiiding to their
duties. At the All-India Radio Station women were employed as picketers,
and for a short time they overran the station, dislocated the wireless
programmes and attempted to blockade the entrance into the building and to
attack the |wli(^e parly. This incident is significant in that it is the first
rx>nc€rted effort to mobilise women in an effort to subvert the authority of
the forces responsible for law apd order. Women were subsetjuently utilised
a' picketers at the office of the Imperial Bank of India where a strike of
^:^ployees commenwd on the 1st of August, and this strike was actually in
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
[20th Sept.,
operation on the fateful 16th of August' at 10-30 a.m. when the Chief
Secretary and the Commissioner of Police went to the Imperial Bank to
examine the position created by these women picketers. There were also
incidents at the Assembly when crow^ds came within the Assembly buildings
on various occasions and de%d the authority of the Police. There were
frequent hartnU for the slightest cause and for political reasons. A hartal
was suddenly proclaimed on receipt of a report that Pandit Pawaharlal
Nehru had been wounded in Kashmir. In most of these cases violence was
used by the mol) on people going about their ordinary vocations. They were
made to walk, military and private motor cars were smashed and burnt, ties
and hats were taken off, persons were assaulted, j)eople were forced to close
their shops, offices were ])icketed and the police looked on helplessly. It vrill
be realised that the Police (;an hardly take action where the entire community
adojds a lawless spirit and its representatives favour that sj)irit of lawless-
ness. It is inevitable that one day the community will have to pay the
penalty for such a (toiirse of conduct. As tlie Times of India has put it on
the 19th, “These Congress-inspired demonstrations of a violent character
since the end of the War have engendered a contempt lor aiithorit\, the
bitter harvest of which Calcutta is reaping to-day.
These factors inevitably had their repercussions on the morale of the
Police force. Police iffiicers w(‘re chary of dealing with }»olitical disturbances.
They were chary of using force through fear of being jiilloried by the pulilic.
They were chary in using any but the minimum force for any specific
occasion. It is said that it they had u?ved the sufficiency of force and showed
their jirepuredness ami power early in the morning the other occurrences
might not have occurred. Police cannot use force on any one occasion w’ith
a view to the future and tlie fequireimmt of the future. It can only use force
to suit an occasion. *
It is with this background that the fateful Kith of August dawned. No
reports were to hand of any preparedness on the jiart of either the Hindus
or the Muslims. Hartals liad taken place before tlie hartals liad pas.^ed off
fairly peacefully with onlv minor troubles. As lias been given evidence of
by no less a person than Mr. Kazlnl llmj when he first got information of
the occurrence on the morning of the 16th he thought tiiat it was a minor
occurrenee similar to those x^hiidi previously took jdace in Calcutta.
Apparently that wat» the kind of teeling on Friday. The jieople all co-
operated with each other in observing hartals, I liad intended to avoid any
narration of the incidents which might tend to place the blame for the origin
of the riots on one or the other section of the jieople but the charges that
have been levelled against me and tlie Muslims comjiel me to .say a few
W'ords. I am grateful to many of my friend.-^ who have sjxiken on the other
side who have spared me the charge of engineering these riots or so acting
as to allow the disturbances to eontinue from day to day but some others
have had not so spared me, and though, not directly have sufficiently
insinuated that 1 was responsible for the riots. I think that it is necessary
that I should sav something about myself. 1 have stated in another place
that ever since the assumption of jmwer I have worked hard, in fact I have
not spared myself in unv w’ay for the welfare of the province and those who
have come in contact with me and have seen me working in the Secretariat
will fully bear this out. I have been charged by Muslims time and again
for being partial to the Hindus. Bead the various papers, you will see that
everything which I am saying is true. For myself, I have attempted to hold
the scales even and I h(^ve resisted all efforts which might even remotely be
considered unfair or vielimisation. Amongst the Hindus I have very dear
friends, friends regarding whom I may say that for their safety and their
happiness even my life is forfeit. As for the Muslims they have done me
the nonour of electing me the Leader of their party. I love the Muslims of
Calcutta who look upon me even as their father. I know them intimately
and I have been brought up amongst them. Would 1 ever consciously bring
im.]
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIOKNCE.
m
about a clasb between the twoP It k not suggested that I desire that the
Moslims should be decimated. It is insinuated tliat I Wanted to get the
Hindus assaulted. If it hud been so, would I have chosen Calcutta where
the Muslims are in a minority P Would the Muslims have been left
unprepared and unprotected so that their houses may be looted and burnt to
the ground? Would I have asked them to come to the maidan leaving their
Women and children bohiiul? Would 1 have allowed their hustsc* to be
burnt and their women and children murdered? Would 1 have declared a
public holiday on the IGth of August whjch wonhl mean that while I would
draw the Muslims from their homes leave behind the lliudns in their homes
to l(X)k after themselves and it the;^ so wish, to attaek tlie unprotectefl
residences of Muslims. Do the honourable memlH*rs realise what would have
happened to the Hindus had the (»tti<‘CN remained o[)en and had there l>eeu a
inaji»r communal contlict as mtually did take |ilace? Hindus coming to
work in their offices from their distant homes would have all l)eeu in peril.
May I say »)ne word too on behalf of the Mnslimsp 1 am a Muslim and I
know’ their inentulity. 1 can definitely and categorically state that the
Muslim was not prepared for a conflict. He had not the slightest indication
that so much antagonism and so min h hatred had been stored up against him.
lie did not realise, being largely illiterate and not reading the Hindu papers,
that, the Hindus were determined not only nut to observe hart^da but to resist
and defy any uttem[)t^, indeed au\ requests to close their shops. Eluted
perhaps by the observaru e of the day, hopeful pt‘rhaps tliat the Hindtis would
observe the hnrtnl along with him as he had dont* along w'ith them he made
preparations ti> have a grand holiday and to come to the maidan and con-
gregate tliere with lakhs of his brothers Little did hi* know what was in
store for him. Little did he know that his processions will be stoned, that
his sliops w'ill he burnt and lootetl that he would he waylaid and m<d)l>ed and
killed and stabbed, tluil he would he preventeil trom going to the maidan.
It has lieeii suggt‘ste(l b\ ^ome members that the Muslims started the
affray. A ver> ingeniou.s detence is put torward by Mr. Kundu to explain
the undeniable fai t that the first ( asualties that ( ame to the hospitals were
Muslims. Ha.seil on the ap'uryidjal story of a Muslim rickshaw-puller, he
.suggests that all llu'se Muslim <asualties were inflicted by other Muslims. Is
It really seriously suggested that Muslim^ woiibl have ever dared to attack
ahojis of Hindus* in Harrison Uoa<l. Clive Street, Howba/.ar Street, (Ndleffe
Street, Bhowaninore, Bash Behari Avenue, or any of the great Hindu
localities w’here Muslims were obstructed and killed on the very first day?
Processions coming from Howrah were obstructed at the junctions of Harrison
Road and Strand Hoad, and as far away as Tollygunge a small procession of
Muslims coming from Tollygunge under the protection of a Dejiuty Commis-
sioner of Police at -‘i p.m. on the Hith was obstructed by huge crowd of Hindus
on Hussa Road near the Bridge and had to return.
1 will not dilate on tliis inatter further. It is with groat reluctance
that I have stated what I have. 1 w'omler if there is any one present
here who could have viHualised what was in store. I wonder if the
honourable members oppo.site when they were playing with the fiery
impetuously and political idealism of their ywung men and were ciharging
them to resi.st the Jdirtul realised what a fearful amount of hutreil they
were conjuring against the Muslim.s and what a tremendous conflagra-
tion it would cau.se. Police precautions were taken. Instructions were
given to the Civil Supplies Department to keep all their vehicles in
their depot.s until sueh time as it might be known w'hether disturbances
would take place or not. Similar advice was given to the Oil ( ompanias
in view of the high vulnerability of their oil tankers and our opinion was
conveyed to the military that their vehicles should not run unless under
escort.
On the I5th August, the Commissioner of Police infoitned all polio#
officers tbnt Bmargenoy Action Sohepie, which had been prsj^tred
m
MOWOM OF FO^OFPIBBW®.
r20TH Btrt,
More this Ministry took office, would he kroo^ht into operation wilk
Offect from 8 a.in. on the 16th. It was decided mi this time should not
he made earlier as it was likely that all ranks would he on duty
throughout the day and it was desired that they should be able to
their meals before coming on duty.
The “Emergency Action^ scheme involved the following: —
{%} The mobilisation of all available men of the armed police and ike
ten^g of 200 sepoys to Lall Baxar, with the remainder being held in
their barracks ready to be sent out at a moment’s notice.
(ft) The withdrawal from the streets of all traffic police with half
being sent to Lall Bazar immediately and the other half held in readiness
in their barracks.
In conueclion with the traffic police it was decided that those traffic
points which are manned on public holidays should continue to he
manned on the 10th, as it was considered that the complete withdrawal
of these men from the streets might create nervousnss and also that
such withdraw'al might be construed into a belief that the police were
also observing iuirUil. The number of men involved was small and these
were all in fact withdrawn from the streets tor emergency duties at
midday.
(Hi) The. setting up of the ('«introl Room at Lall Bazar with all
telephones niHnne<l by officers previously selected.
(j'c) The manning bv Intelligence Officers (»f all p(dice-stations and
District Headquarters teleplnmes.
(c) The attendance in the (ontrol Room of Ih^puty Commissioners,
Special Branch, Security Control (I). Secinity ('ontrol (II). Public
Vehicles Department, l)ete<‘tive Department and Headijuarters together
with certain Assistant (’ommissioners who could he spared irom their
duties.
{vi) The sending out from police-stations con>tal>les in plain clothe®
for the purpose of collecting intelhgence.
(tuU Tlie bringing into headquarters of all Inspectors and sergeants
from Security Control and Public Vehicles Department.
(vin) The sending out of mobile patrols on routes where t'xperience
has shown trouble was likel\ . for the j)urpose of reconiUiis>ance.
There were in readiness at S a.m. either at headquarters or standing
by in barracks approximatels Iti luspeetors, 114 sergeants, 400 armed
police and loU traffic police. (Mr. Nihak>;m) 1' Drrr-MAZUMUAR : Only
they appeared nowhere.)
It will be seen therefore that the police force such as it was was fully
mobilised on the morning of the IGth. Incidents were reported as early
as 7 o’clock, but they were of a minor nature, and the two partiea
were kept apart by the IcK^al thana police. But the situation rapidly
developed and grew from bad to worse. It was however localised,
and although obstruction was offered to processions passing through
Hindu 'areas — several processions which passed through purely Muslim
and European areas or had come early found their way to the Maidan.
I hope it will be appreciated that the police forc^ of Calcutta or for the
matter of that any city, is not recruited to cope with a general
communal eonfl^ratioo'^ in every part of the city. They have been found
generally sufficient to deal with normal disturbances, and on previous
occaaions even under section 93 regime the military have been called
out jays after the disturbances broke out. Many persons have criticised
me for attempting to divest myself of responsibility for law and order
in Aouita, for making the Commissioner of Police, the scapegoat,
hmg m miMlaiit aa to rilift the reepomibilxty upon hine^ I want
to iMa oatefoimUy that 1 km no oiieh i nt e wM o n . Tho C kwimiaa io n at
uii.] mffioirg er youcoiiniitiicB. m
#f to mj kwwkdg^f out the EmorgMiey Sekesie into operation
otrly in tho day, a« I ka^e told you, at 8 o’clock. Ha uiiltaad the lorfwa
at m diapoaa) to the, boat of his ability. H« acceptad ail tba oalia for
agaigtamco that ware made to him at Lall Baaar. He and his offioolo
worked inoaasinfrly.
Mr. NIHARENDU OUTT-MAZUMDAR: Are you satisfied with the
aetioii of the police?
Tht HMfbli Mr. H. S. 8UHRAWARDY: T will come later on to (he
aarwms charges which hare been made against the police.
How, as I was saying, the ( oininissioner of Police himself reniai&e4
on duty until the early hours of the I7th and he and his officers took
it by turns to attend at laili Buxar throughout. Hut if he and his police
force were overwhelmed, it is not his fault, for 1 have n»peatedly
stated, the ptdice force of ('alcutta have not been engaged in sufficient
numhers to take cliarge of a general eoiumunal cimflugration when
fighting goes on in every street, lane, l)\-lane, when human beings
commit acts of cpelty and bestiality without any precedent in the anuali
of (’alcutia or of this sub-eimtinent.
It has Wen stated that generally speaking the poliee atraid idle and
allowed assaults and lootings to take place under their very eyes. Jt
IS stated that when the jiolice were a.sked to intervene, they said they
had no orders or tiiey bat! order.s not to inlerfere. I have been .s(demnlj>’
asked by some people to a.scertain from tlu‘ (’ommissioner of Poliee, if
he gave such onlers. I am amazed that sueh a reijuesf could have been
made, that it could possibly lone been ecmceived that sueb onlers eould
have lieen issued by any reasonable buman being, and I can
categoricallN state that no such order.s \^ere issued. How, 1 ask you,
can 1 or the (’ommissionef of Poliee bi‘ held lespnusible il in some place
I O' places, the police at haiul ibu's not inlerv<‘ne and does not perform
its duty in preserving law and onler I think, liowever, that at this
stage boiiourable members should know what tlo* statutory position i^
legarding tlie direction and control of the ]>olire force in Calcutta. 1
jefer the honourable members to section It ot (In* Polici* Act : -
“The P(dice Force shall be umbu' the «*\(duHiv(* direction and control
of the f’ommissioner of Police, wdio iua\ , fioni time to time, subject to
the contrrd of tiie said Provincial ( loverninent , frame sueb orders and
regulations as he shall deem expedient, relative to the general Govern-
ment of the force, the places of residence, the classification, rank,
distribution, and particular service of the several members thereof;
their inspection; the description ot arn»% accoutrements, and other
necessaries to be furnished to them; and all such other orders and
regulations relative to the said Police Force as tlie said Commissioner
shall from time to time deem expedient for preventing neglect or abuse,
and for rendering such force efficient in the discharge of all its duties.”
I place below the opinion of the Advocate-General himself, so that
there may be no cavil regarding interpretation : —
^*In vesting ‘(he direction and control fd the Police Force’ in the
Commiasioner of Police, the Wgislature ha.s used the word ‘exclusive’ t(»
emphasise the position and to make it clear that the Police Force is under
the ‘exclusive’ direction and rcintrol of the ('ommissioner of Pidice.”
In contrast to this exclusive power of direction and control, the power
to frame orders and regulations given to the ( ommissioner is made subject
to the conttol of the Provincial Government.
The words “subject to the control of the Provincial Government'*
eoawMi wialily the “etudnaive diroeliOn tUld eoAtfoP' of tbo
Police Fm& gmA lo m OmmeMttif .
m
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENOB.
[20rH Smt.,
It will thus be Been that so far as the direction and control of the
police force is concerned in Calcutta, the Commissioner of Police ia
vested with the statutory res^nsibility, and what I stated in another
place that neither I nor a higher power can intervene is strictly correct.
Apart from that, administratively it would be wrong on the p art
of any one to interfere with his dispositions w'ithout his consent. When
this is HO, 1 am asked, why did 1 go to the Control Boom,
and what I was doing there? I am certain that such is the perversity
of human nature, had I not been there I would have been charged with
dereliction fd duty. As fur as I remember regarding the incidents of
that crowded day, I entered the Control Room at about 2 p.m.
after having visited several localities and having ascertained for myself
that the tension was rising and the c(»nHagrution was likely to be general.
At that time the c.omimund of Lall Bazar was flooded wuth armed police
and lorries. Some had gone out on urgent calls. I gave to the
Coinmissioner of Police my appreciutinn that the military should be
called out. At 2AU p.m, a warning was communicated to the military
authoritie.H to be in readiness as their services might be required. At
4-d() p.m. decision was taken and communicated to the military
authorities requesting them to come to the aid of the civil power, and
for this ])urpose to concentrate a force at Sealdah in order to keep open
certain importunl thoroughfares, such as Canning Street, Colootolah
Street, Mirzupore Street, liower Chitpur Hoad from its junction with
Colootolah Street to its junction witli Vivekananda Road, Vivekananda
Road from its junction w'itli Upper Chitpore Road to its junction with
College Street, (Villegi* Street from its junctum with t'olootelah Street to
its junction witli Vivekuiiandn Road; HairiHon Road; I’eutral Avenue from
its junction with Vivekananda Road tu its junction with Colootolah Street.
1 went to the ])ublic meeting for a few minutes and returned from
there about lialf-past five after having ascertained from personal
inspection that no Muslim was safe in Bhow'anipur. I do not hold Mr.
Syamnprusad Mookerjeo liable for the incidents that took place there.
(Du. SY.\M.\i*HASAn Mookkujkk; But I hold vou liable for the incidents
in tlie whole of Calcutta.) Reports of incidents were coming into the
(\>utrol Room and were being dealt with by the Commissioner of Police.
In the Control Room where calls were pouring in unceasingly I too took
down reports and passed them on to the Commissioner of Police
fot action, I was thus able to watch the course of the disturbances and
how the reports were dealt with and action was taken on them, and I
have no doubt that nut being entire]\ dumb I offered suggestion when
1 deemed it expedient. Members of tin* public were flocking in asking
for ussistunce in various wuy.s. I asceitame<l from them their require-
ments, passed them on to the Commissioner of Police, and
attempted to help them in every po.ssible way. I insisted that very
evening on curfew’ being proclaimed and on the military being put into
position. The report from HowtuIi not being satisfactory, arrangement
was made for troops to he brought down to the Howrah Rest Camp from
Rarrackpore. It was clear os time passed that the calls were increasing,
that the disturbance was spreading and that the police would be fully
extended.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: And you said that the
aituation was improving
TM Hoii’IlM Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDY: I do not recollect to have
said HO.
Mr. SPEAKERS Mr. Dutt-Maiumdar, frequent interruptions are
coming from that aide. That is not proper. ^
Mr. NJHARENOU DUTT-M AZU MOAR : Sir, it haa been the practice
in thia Hottae. Occasional interruptkm haa not hlevn oat of order.
MOTIONS OF NO-CONFIDENCE.
19M.1
t«f
Ufa SPEAKClIS Not occasional, it is frequent.
Mr. NIHAREMDU DUTT-MAZUMDARt It is not frequent. It is
just a helpful interruption.
Mr. SPEAKER; Please take your seat.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY; I do not remember, Sir,
that there was a single interruption from this side when the Leader of
the Opposition was speaking.
Mr. Syamaprasad Mookerjet* referred to a statement that 1 am alleged
to have made to a press representative on Friday night. 1 do
not remember having made that statement because during those three or
four days when 1 was pestered by newspaj>ennen, I told tl»em the whole
time that 1 refused to make any statement.
Dr. SYAMAPRASAD MOOKERJEE: You must have done that. It
has been printed.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. SUHRAWARDY: It might have been so; I
do not recollect. There was definitely a lull in the reports received in the
Control Room, I think, between 9 and about lO-IU) p.m., as one could
reali.se there was a crescendo and a maximum and a minimum throughout.
I must repeat what I stated at another j)lace, that according to the
statements of the Viceroy him.self and according to what the military
themselves understand as their obligations they do not feel inclined
to come to the aid of the civil pow'er unle.s.s and until it is certified to
them that the police cannot cope with the situation or, to use an
expression which is perhaps technical, are overw’helmed. I point
this out in particular to the Leader of the Kur(>pean Party, who desires
that we should call tlie military whenever a disturbance is brewing.
1 have had talks with the iiigh militarv authorities here and they have
definitely stated that they will not take up the duties of the police until
it is certified to them that the police are unable to deal with
the particular situation. The.se are the instructions which have been
sent to tliem by no le.ss a personage than the Viceroy. If the honourable
Leader of the EurojM'an Party has sufficient j)ull with the Viceroy and
the military authorities to induce them to alter this policy, nobody would
be gladder than myself. (Mh. Nuiahkmm- 1)» n -M a/.i .mdau : How did
the Bombay Ministry do?) They did not. In the evening of that day
I insisted that the military should not only be called out but
should be placed on the ground. What they could do, what w'ere their
numbers and resources, bow much ground they could cover, how' many
troops they were prepared to commit — I am giving you a technical
expression that is used by them -what would he the extent of their
operations, were all matters which w'eie thrashed out between the (liief
Secretary, the ('ommissioner of Police and the military authorities
At 11 o’clock it was decided that the military would patrol the area
already designated and to which I have referred to above. About noon
the next day, the military made preparations to take over tin* an^a
which w'as bordered north by Vivekananda Koa<l, east by la)wer Circular
Road, south by Bowhazar Street and w’est by the flooghly. They
chose to employ three batallions for this jiurpose ami started combing
that area. All along a Deputy Commissioner of Police was in liaison
with them, that is to say, from the HIth. Dn tlie 17th during
their operations they asked for the assistance of three Deputy
Commissioners, 4o policemen of officer’s rank and 210 anned imlice,
which further depleted the resources of the ('omniissirmer of Police.
The operations ended at 8 p.m. On the same day at about 4 p.m.
arrangementa were made for militarjr patrolling during the eveiting in
the Garden Reach, 24-Pargana8 area, from the Docks to the end of the
in
Monme of wa-conFmmcE .
[20m Bm.;
Chirden Reach Municipality; and on diai aama day tke mlRlary were
alao asked to take over or to maintain order in the area from Surendranath
Bauerjee Road down Free School Street, Wellesley Street, Park St^t,
Marquis Street, Elliot Road, Royd Street and then on to the Park Cireve
urea. On the J8th the military extended their operations further north
of Vivekananda Road.
On the 17th at about 12 noon, the leaders of the various parties
including Mr. Sarat (’handra Bose and the Hon’ble the Leader of the
Opposition were good enough to meet me in my room in the Assembly.
Although I had had an unfortunate experience the previous evening regard-
ing the behaviour of a Hindu crowd, I recjuested them earnestly to come
out with me or without me and address the people in the interests of
fieuce so tliat the evil might cease before it spread further.
Mr. NIHARENDU OUTT-MAZUMDAR: What was their suggestionP
The Hoii’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: They expressed their
inability to do so.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Chief Minister
kindly tell the House what suggestion was made at the meeting which
the Hon’hle Chief Minister referred to he had had with the Leader of the
Opposition and Mr. Sarat Chandra BoseP
Th« Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: They expressed their
inuhility t(» do so. I want to make it clear to the House that 1 do not
blame tliem. I’erhaps the position was such that no amount of peace
naileys on our part would have eased tin* situation. I only state tacts.
They asked that aiine<l pickets should he ])lar<*d througliout Calcutta.
I conveyed the opinion so e\]>r«*Nsed to tin* Commissioner of INilice, wlto
expressed and d(‘monstrated his inability to (‘oni])]y with the request
with the forces at his disjKisal. This is a mattei of administration in
which I felt I could not interfere. The Honouruhle Leader of the
Opposition. Mr. Sarat Hose and several others were apprised of the
.faet. They even eonvoyed their suggestion to His Excellency the
Governor and yet we could not see pickets on the scene. (Mn. Niharendu
Dutt-Mazumdar ; The Leader of the Opposition wanted to go to the
Governor along with the Chief Minister and the Chief Minister
did not agree.) Idie Commissioner of I’oliee liad his own method of
dealing with tiie disturhani'es and he utili.sed what he had, and I repeat
that wimt ht* had was clearlv not enough for the task that he had to cope
with. He utilised liat he had in a manner v\liich he considered most
suitable and most likely to yield results.
The lack of personnel indeed was so great that he could hardly deal
with the innumerahle requests for armed escorts to rescue people from
marooned areas. In the Control Room I was overwhelmea with such
requests. 1 knew that in the second phase of the riots, after the first
flush of conflict, efforts should he made to re.sciie people from hostile
or marooned areas. I believe the local t lianas assisted us best as they
could. But it was difficult to provide armed escorts from central head-
quarters. I find it insinuated — an insinuation damnably false, hut on a
par with many of the charges freely bandied against me by
a section of the Cress and by people mIio had worked them8elve.s into a
hysteria and a panic — that in the Control Room. I utilised my position
to provide escorts to Muslims onlv and not to Hindus. I say this ia
damualdy false, ami many a Hindu gentleman, if he cares to .^j^ieak the
truth and to brave the wrath of his fellow-countrymen who would not
like to hear anything said in my behalf, will give evidence
before you that I ti-eatetl all alike and when annetl guards were available
and could .Im» providwl by the Commissioner of Police or by his very able
lientenant the Deputy Commissioner, Headquarters, they were assigned
MjOTIOIIS of H<M}OHFl{>fiNCi.
m
im.]
to whosoever wanted themi When the requests became too overwhelming
and Lalbazar was besieged by itersons clamourin(| for armed
guards, and when 1 found that the ("oinmisHioner of Police was at hie
wit’s end to provide such guards, 1 conceive<l ihe idea of calling iqKMI
the military to help us with lorries and guards. An organisation was set
up immediately nt tlie Car Park near the Ochterlony Monument, which
rendered most valuable service. If the records are looked into, it will
be found again that the vast majority (»f the voiceless are utilised by the
Hindus.
I again met the leadens on Sunday, on Monday and finally on Tuesday
when at my most earnest request they agreed to come out with me OH
a peace mission. M'e covered a considerable portion on the 2(lth and
the balance on the 21st. and I thank the Almighty with a full heart
that he eondescendeil to bestow on us hi** kindness, and the mlsHion was
able to achieve its end and to bring about almost a complete ceHsation of
the loot and the carnage which had kept ( alcutta m its grip for four day«.
In this eflFort for the restoration of ju'acc, 1 must thank all tkoae
leaders who went out with me in the procession and gave us their
^uppo^t, hut my special thanks are due to some members of the Communist
J^arty— 1 must give them their due -who were pressing for thii
Peace Mission from the very beginning, tine word more, Sir, regarding
what I did in those nightmarish days. 1 was either in the Control Room
or out in the streets making efforts to allay the diMturbanoa
or met in consultation with the leaders of the various parlies. A paper
winch, I think, honourable mmnhcrs will recognize as “Statesman”
picked upon me as a chief culprit from the very beginning and hold me
re.sponsihle for the breakdown of law’ am) order, for clearly there wa«
such a breakdown, wliere so many peojile could have been mnssucrod or
butchered by tlndr Icllow countrv -men. This cannot be denied by
aii.Mint*. At first I tbought that this charge was not really serioua and
that It liad lieeii l.‘\ oiled against me to a\oid the obvious culprit, namely,
the Ctibinet Mis>ioii which had ]*rnduc«Ml such a terrible tension between
the Hindus and the Muslims ami wln(h luol created a situation
where the Hindus tclt tliat any agitation hy the Muslims wuis directed
against them and was diiected again.st their a.ssumptioii of poW’er in the
Interim (iovernment , but when 1 found later on that in one or two of
its articles or sub-ai tales it charged me with inuctivily, I understood
that this paper was (leliheratel\ out to malign me ami to find every
po.ssihle excuse tor d<dng .so. AVhoever was the author was ohvioualy
woiking 111 his sanctum sanctorum sheltered trnm the eatmdysm which had
overtaken Calcutta and drawing his own conclusions from those same
f.intasies which troubled the ilindu Press. He wi.shed to know where
I was. Pr(d)aldv he thought that I had disappeared from the scene.
He wished to kiiow wdiere 1 was when it was stated that His PiXcelloDCy
the (jovernor had already been twice lound some areas iri the city and
wh\ 1 was not present at the routine J’less Contcrenees whieii w«*re l)einjf
lield to apprise the i^ress of passing events. The “Statoflimin” is atill
on the war path. It will n«»t he satisfied until it sees me out of office.
Pei haps, its hopes w ill be fulfilled, Imt l shall never forget the attack on
me which it initiated at a time when l whh not in a position to meet it,
an attack no less violent in its nature than the hludgeonings by 50 goondaa
on one defenceless hea«l, or an assassin s knife in the ha(*k.
There is very little for me to adrl except to (dear further points that
have been made in th«* various spi'ccln^*^ through clear misconception.
It has been stated that 1 cannot remain in office if I call upon the people
to break the law’. I agree with this pro])Osition, hut the point which I
would like to emphasise is that the Kith of August was not a day
on which Direct Action was to be launched, nor w'as it a day indew
which the people were called upon to break the law. It was a iimpui
m
MOTIOm OF NO^mFIDENCE,
[20th Sept:.
3fiy for demonstration and for, listening to the speeches justifying the
policy of the Muslim League. Muslims were not ready for Direct
Action and up till now they do not know what form the Direct Action
will take. Keference has been made in this connection to the speeches
of Maulana Akram Khan and Khwaja Nazimuddin. Those speeches, I
am sure, had not the slightest effect on Muslims on this occasion, for
they were speeches delivered in support of a future Direct Action which
has not yet been placed before the Muslims. Not one Muslim was
labouring in the belief that on that day, which the Quaid-e-Azam had
called upon the Muslims to observe as a peaceful day, that on that day
any Direct Action was being contemplated. Keference has been made to
a statement which I am obliged to have made in Delhi regarding
independence and running a parallel Government. Surely, I have never
conceived' that I could declare independence while remaining a Chief
Minister under the Act of 1935. I still maintain — perhaps I may be
permitted to do so — that Bengal one day shall be an independent sovereign
state. (Cries of "Hear, hear" from the Government Benches.) Many
honourable members have offered me advice to form a coalition. They
say lhat there never will he peace in this province unless a
coalition is formed. Honourable members know my views regarding a
coalition, but T ask them how can there be a coalition in this province
with the Congress when elsewhere there is no co-operation and coalition.
Are there not riots going on in Bombay, in the United Province
and el.Hewhere? What attempts are being made by the Congress
Ministries to take any Muslim Leaguers into their Ministry:^ Has not
Sardar Vallabhai Patel spoken in no uncertain terms, ‘‘That it is absurd
to talk about a coalition between the Congress and the Muslim League;
their ideologies are too wide apart." 1 refer to this statement which
came out in the papers here not so long ago as the 3rd of August this
year. Let us all wish ardently that the disputes between the (Congress
and the Muslim League may be settled at the centre in a real spirit of
co-operation and friendliness motivated by the earnest desire to see that
peace prevails in India. Let us sto]) talking about civil war as the
only other alternative. You cannot have civil war in a country w'here
either the Hindus or Muslims are closely intermingled or one section is
in a desperate minority and is perfectly defenceless. That will not be
civil war. That will be insensate brutish butchery and we must avoid
it if you do not want to make a jiolitical game ot the lives of the people^
if you d(- iu»t think that llindusthan or Ibikistan vnn l)e achieved by
murdering your neighbour, if you are determined to see that whatever
tk© ideologies local peace is maintained throughout and an earnest effort
is made to preserve peace without having to call in the military.
And here T make an offer to the Leader of the Opposition and to any
gentleman of good will to j(»in me in a peace committee for which 1 have
been working nil this time. We have appointed an officer to
form peace committees in various parts of Calcutta. This officer is doing
extremely good work and the tension has been greatly eased througn
his efforts. Peace committees are being formed in various parts of
Bengal and we are encouraging them. As I have said in several places
not even 10 armies can stop the carnage in Bengal, if the people are
determined to murder each other. The only hope that there is, is that
we must agree to live side by side and let Pakistan and Hindustban
work out its own destiiij^’, but in Bengal we shall not fight with each
other. If a Central Peace Committee is formed it will have its repercus-
sions in other parts of Bengal as well and even if we may not be able to
ocmie forward as a coalition in the Government, we must be able to work
with each other in co-operation and harmoniusly wdthin the province.
I have, been asked certain question today from various parts of the
Bouse. I have been asked why no reports have been received in Lalhanr
1946.] MOWOWJ OF NO.C?OirFI»ENCB. I6t
regarding the murder of all Muslims in SoVabatar, Baghbatar
and other parts of North Calcutta.
It is difficult for me to give an answer at this stage. Surelv this will
form a very important subject-matter of the Commission of Enquiry.
If it is a fact that carnage went on in Hindu areas for eight hours at »
stretch, and that no police was available, and that there was no report
either in the Control Room or elsewhere, these require a very serious
enquiry, and no doubt an enquiry will he taken up.
I am asked to give an explanation as to why the Police looted, or
lookeil on while shops were being looted and people were being massacred,
and why they din not intervened On the other hand, they were
found with wrist watches after Limton Watch & Co., in the Dalhousie
Square, was looted. It is difficult for me to give an explanation, but
I may state that with the political background which 1 have just stated,
and tlie paralysis which has overtaken the Police as a result thereof, they
did not f(H‘l that they could meet the situation. 1 am perfectly certain
that so far as the Commissioner of Police and other officers are concerned^
they must have been fully alive to the situation, and they could never
pass such orders; hut it is impossible for the Commissioner of Police, for
instance, to he everywhere in every ])art of Calcutta, or for myself to
he in every part of Calcutta to see if the Police were carrying on their
duties or not.
I liave been asked to inform the House, why no shots were fired on the
Itith of August. I have taken a report, and I may state that on the 16tb
of August 480 tear-gas shells and 200 rounds of musket and revolver ihota
were fired on the mob.
One can quite understand the intensity of feeling that had been aroused
when in spite of all tliese attempts the police could not bring the situation
under control.
Dr. Shyaina Crasad Mookerjee has referred to s(‘veral incidents — one
with reference to the Park Street thana. It happened that while I was
going to the ( Ontrt*! Room some persons came ii])on me and told me that
they have been conveying foodgrains to the musafirkhnnu in la>wer t'liitpore
Road for the purpose of feeding the refugees, and that a sergeant
had taken them away; they said that they wanted the foodgrains very
badly, otherwivse these refugees would starve. I went with them and
to tile thana and enmiired what the matter was. They could not say
that they were looted from any shop. All that they said was that thero
was some looted dnl was lying somewhere. If they were actually looting
surely rice is the thing which they would have looted, but they had no
rice in their possession. On the other hand, they proved that they had
purchased some vegetables and eggs, and that was true. Ibis is the
only case in which I intervened, because J felt that these persons were
arrested for no rhyme or reason. As soon as I came out they got on the
lorry and pointed out that a basket of eggs which they have imrchased
for Rs. loti was mis.sing. Nobody in the police-station could say where
it went.
Dr. 8HYAMA PRASAD MOOKERilEE: Under what authority you
could get persons released ?
The Hon’bla Mr. H. S. 8UMRAWARDY: They were not found with
looted property and there was no charge against them.
I must confess that after this incident I decided not to interv^e lA
any case. Now, Sir, I think I have been able to place before the House
the resources at £he disposal of the police, and the general background
in wmfmn tm [20tb sw;
IM it •xifted at the time. I am BOt afraid of the ohargea, but I ^ ©kiad
that I should not he charged with crimes which I did ^
<sommit. I have already explained to the House the background ^th
which the incident took place, and it has been voiced from the varioiw
parts of the House and agreed that the set-up of the police is not of such
a nature that they can cope with the general conflagration; that the
Commissioner of Police, who is in charge of the police in Calcutta, put
into operation the Emergency Scheme which was in existence at the
time and which had been worked during disturbances in Calcutta. He
‘<lid his best with the police at his disposal, but failed, and undoubtedly
they have failed to a large degree. An enquiry will be gone into. I do
not think personally any one is to blame. There is no necessity to assure
the House that then* is no power and there is no one yet born who can
regard with equanimity the murder and massacre of all these innocent
I>er80U8, and there is no one so heinous, so Satanic who could be charged
with such a crime.
The motion of Mr ^ pjhirendxft Nath Datta that this Assembly expreasei
its want of confidence Tn the Council of Ministers was then put and a
^division taken with the following result:—
AYE»~a7.
.Aohtrjss, Mr. Shitangthu Kants.
Atflilkarl, Mr. AmiAya Chandra,
•siidopadhays, Mr. Pramstha Nath,
tanarjaa, Mr. Qobindalal.
•anarjas. Mr. 8titll Kumar,
iansrjl, Or. Surtth Chandra.
Barman, Mr. MohinI Mohan.
Hlasu, Mr. Hsmanta Kumar.
Bhandari, Mr. Charu Chandra.
Bhattaoharjff, Mr. Ganondra Chandra.
Bhattaoharjfo, Mr. Munindra Nath.
Bhattaoharyya, Mr. 8hyamai»da.
Biriha, Mr. Bir.
Bitwai, Mr. Qayanath.
"Bom, Mr. Batiih Chandra.
Chakrahorty, Mr. Bonodo Chandra.
Chakravarty, Mr. 8atlth Chandra.
ChattorjM, Mr. Haripada.
Chattopadhyaya, Mr. Mihir Lai.
Chowdhury, Mr. Annada Prosad.
Oat, Mitt Blna.
Oat, Mr. Brojomadhab.
Oat, Mr. Jogandra Chandra.
Oat, Mr, Radha Nath.
Oat Gupta, Mr. Khagondra Nath.
Oat Gupta, Mr. Burtth Chandra.
Oaw, Mr. Kanailal.
Oatta, Mr. Ohlrtndra Nath.
Oa, Mr. Kanal Lai.
Ohar, Mr Manoranjan.
Oolui, Mr. Harondra Nath.
Outta, Mr. Bukumar.
Outt-Maiumdar, Mr. NIharondu.
OanguM, Mr. Bopin Baharl.
Qayan, Mr. Arabinda.
OhOM, Mr. A. K.
OhoM, Mr. BImal Cemaf^
Qhoaa, Mr. Jyotith Chandra.
Qiwth Chowdhury, Mr. Haran Chandra.
OamM, Mr. 0.
Ouha Roy, Or. Protap Chandra.
Oupta, Mr. J. G.
Oiipta, Mr. Manoranian.
OimmB, Bir. Dambar tlngh.
MaWar, Mr. Kubar Chand.
Jalan, Mr. Itwar Oat.
Khaitan, Mr. Oabi Protad.
Kundu, Mr. NIshItha Nath.
Lahiri, Mr. Provat Chandra.
Mahanty, Mr. Charu Chandra.
Mahtab, Sir Uday Chand, K.C.I.E.
MaharajadhiraJ Bahadur of Burdwan
MaitI, Mr. Nikunja Btharl.
Majhi, Mr. Nithapatl.
Majumdar, Mr. Bhupati.
Mai, Mr. Iswar Chandra.
Malllok, Mr. Afhutoth.
Mandal, Mr. Annadapratad.
Mandat, Mr. Bankuboharl.
Mandal, Mr. Krishna Prosad.
MooktrjM, Or. Syamapratad.
Mukhorji, Mr. Ohirondra Narayan.
Murarka, Mr. Batantlal.
Nandy, Maharaja 8rii Chandra, a
Cottimbaiar.
Natkar, Mr. Ardhondu Btkhar.
Natkar, Mr. Htm Chandra.
Panja, Mr. Jadabondra Nath.
Poddar, Mr. Anandilal.
Pramanik, Mr. Puma Chandra.
Primanlk, Mr. Rajani Kanta.
Ralkut, Mr. Prasanna Oob.
Ray, Mr. Kamal Krishna.
Ray Barman, Mr. RaJanl Kanta.
Roy, Mr. Oharumjoy.
Roy, Mr. Harondra Nath.
Roy, Mr. KIran Bankar.
Roy, Mr. Ram Hart.
Sarfcar, Mr. Bljoy Krithfia.
Barkar, Mr. Rajandra Nath.
Barkor, Mr. Prafulla Ranjan.
Son, Mrs. Athalata.
Bon, Mr. Oobondra Nath.
Bon. Mr. Batindra Nath.
Bon Oupta, Mrs. Noltla.
Bingha, Mr. Arun Chandra.
SkfighI, Mr. Narondra Bbigli.
BMml Mr. BImal Chandra.
Thakur, Mr. Pramatha Ranjan.
im ] Monmrt or m
mut m .
AMm AlMlI, Or.
Abdm Ami, Mr
AMut Aiiz, MaiiMfit Mi.
Abdul Ailx Munslit, KtUtfi Sabib.
Abdid Hafki, Mr Mina.
AbdM Hal, Mauiam.
Abdiri Hakim Mia, Mr
Abdul Hakim Vikrampurl, Mr Md.
Abdul Halim, Mr Malla Mabammad.
Abdul Hamid, Mr.
Abdid Hamid, Mr. A. M.
Abdul Hannan, Mr
Abdul Karim, Mr.
Abdid Kbalaqua, Mr.
Abdul Mannan, Mr. Fakir.
Abdid Momin, Mr.
Abduliabtl Baaui, Mr Md.
Abdur Rahman, Tha Han'Ma Mr
A. F. M.
Abdur Rahman Khan (uiior Nuru
Mia), Mr.
Abdur Raschid Mahmaod, Mr.
Abdur Rashid, Maulana Khandkar.
Abdus Babur Khan, Mr.
Abdus Balam, Mr. Md.
Abidur Raza Chaudhury, Mr.
kbui Hasham, Mr
Abul Kafam Bhamtuddin, Mr.
Abut Maiud, Mr. Kazi.
Abut Quasam, Mr.
Ahammad AM, Mr. Mir.
Ahmad Ail Mridha, Mr.
Ahmad Hotain, Tha Hon'bla Mr.
Ahmad Kabir Chowdhury, Mr.
Akbar AM, Maulvi.
AM Ahmad Chowdhury, Mr.
AM Ahmad Khan, Mr.
Anwara Khatun.
Aril Chaudhury (Ohanu Mia), Mr Md,
A^n AM Muktaar, Mr.
Auiad Hossain Khan, Mr.
Azizur Rahman, Mr. Byad.
Badiuzzaman Muhammad Mias, Mr.
Bafatuddin Taiukdar, Mr. A. K. M.
Barman, Mr. Haran Chandra
Barury, Mr. Owarka Nath.
Biswas, Mr. Bhala Nath.
Ebrahim Khan, Mr.
Emaduddki Ahammad, Mr.
Eskandar AM Khan, Mr.
Farid Ahmad Chowdhury, Mr.
Faziul Huq, Mr. A. K.
Fazlid Karim, Mr.
Fazlur Qadir, Mr.
Faziur Rahman ( Dacca), Mr.
Fazlur Rahman (Mymansinth), Mr.
Fazlur Rahman (Noakhall), Mr.
Oomos, Mr. R. A.
Habibul Huq, Mr. Byad.
HaAzuddin Choudhuri, Mr.
Hamldiiddin Ahmad, Mr.
Hassan AM, Mr.
Hatam Ally, Khan Bahib.
Husan Ara Bagum.
Mias All Molla, Mr.
Ispahan!, Mr. M. A. H.
daalmuddin Ahmad, Mr.
dofiab AM Mia, Mr.
Kabir Ahmad Chaudhury, Mr.
Kazam AM Mim, BhahibiBda ICAMIM
<lah BalyM.
Khairat HoaaaM, Mr.
Khiada Bukhsh, Mr. Md.
Khurram Khan Fanaa, Mr.
Lutfar RahaUMi, Mr.
Luttar Rahman, Mr. Dawan.
Madar Bux, Mr.
Maftzuddin Ahmad, Mr.
Mahammad Atzal, Khan Bahadur Byad.
Mahammad Owals, Mr.
Mahammad Bayaad Mia, Mr.
Maiibar Rahman, Maulvl.
Malik, Dr. A. M.
Mandai, Tha Hon’bla Mr. Jaga n d ra
Nath.
Maniruddin Akhand, Mr.
Martuza Raza Chowdhury, Mr.
Masiuddin Ahmad ialUi* Ra|a Mlah), Mr.
Mazharul Haqua, Mr. Abu Taiyab.
Mobarak AM Ahmad, Mr.
Mohammad Bharil Khan, Mr.
Mohammad AM, Tha Hon'bla Mr.
Mozammal Hoasain, Dr.
Mudauir Hossain, Mr.
Muhammad Habibullah Chaudhury, Mr.
Muhammad Idris, Maulvl.
Muhammad Ishaqua, Mr.
Muhammad Israil, Mr.
Muhammad Quasam, Maulana HaJI,
Muhammad Qumruddin, Mr.
Muhammad Rahqua, Mr.
Muhammad Rukonuddin, Mr.
Muhammad Blddlqua, Dr. Byad.
Muiliok, Mr. Mukunda Bahary.
Musharrufi Hossain, Nawab, Khan
Bahadur.
Muzaflar Rahman Chaudhury, Mr.
Nasarulia, Nawabzada K.
Nawajash Ahmad, Mr.
Nawab AM, Mr.
Nazir Hossain Khandkar, Mr.
Nooruddtn, Mr. K.
Nurazzaman, Mr.
Osman AM, Mr.
Osman Qani, Mr. Md.
Panlruddin Ahmed, Mr.
Pantony, Mr. L. R.
Piatai, Mr. R. E.
Ray, Mr. Nagtndra Narayan.
Ricketts, Mrs. E. M.
Salim, Mr. 8. A.
Barajal Haqua, Mr. Byad.
Barajuddtn Ahmad, Mr. (Midnapora).
Baraiuddin Ahmad, Mr. (Qaibandha).
Barajul Islam, Mr.
Bhamsuddin Ahmad, Tha Hon'bla Mr.
Bhamsuddin Ahmad Chowdhury (aHat
Badsha Mia), Mr.
Bhamsuddin Ahmad Khondkar, Mr,
Bhamsuddin Bikdar, Mr. Md.
Bharfuddin Ahmad, Mr.
Buhrawardy, Tha Hon'bla Mr. H. 8.
Tafazzal All, Mr.
Tofazzal Hoasain, Mr.
Wilks, Mr. 0. C. D.
Yusuf Hossain Chowdhury, Mr.
Zahur Ahmad Choudhury, Mr.
The Ayes being 87, and tha Noes 131, the motion was lost.
m
MOTIONS OF NO^ONFIDENCE.
[20tb 8bpi
The motion of Mr. Bimal Comar Ghoae that this Assembly expressc
iU want of confidence in the Hon^ble Mr, H. S. Suhrawardy, the due
Minister and the Minister in charge of Law and Order, was then put and
division taken with the following result:—
ayi»~«s.
AeharjM, Mr. Shltangthu Kanta.
AtfMtiari, Mr. Aimilya Chandra.
Bandofiadhaya, Mr. Pramatha Nath.
BanarjM» Mr. Gohindalal.
Banerjaa, Mr. Suiit Kumar.
Banarjl, Or. Suraah Chandra.
•vman, Mr. Mohini Mohan,
vffatu, Mr. Homanta Kumar
Bhandarlf Mr. Charu Chandra.
Bhattaoharlaa, Mr. Qanandra Chandra,
■hattacharjaa, Mr. Munkidra Nath.
Biraha, Mr. Bir.
BItwaa, Mr. Gayanath.
Boaa, Mr. Satith Chandra.
Chakraborty, Mr. Benoda Chandra.
Chakravarty, Mr. Satlih Chandra.
Chattarjao, Mr. Harlpada.
ChdttofMidhyaya, Mr. Mihir Lai.
Chawdhury, Mr. Annada Prosad.
Oat, MIm Blna.
Dai, Mr. Brojomadhab.
Das, Mr. Jogendra Chandra.
Daa, Mr. Radha Nath.
Oaa Gupta. Mr. Khagandra Nath.
Das Gupta, Mr. Buraah Chandra.
OaM, Mr. Kanailal.
Datta, Mr. Ohirandra Nath.
Mr. Kanat Lai.
Dhar, Mr. Manoranjan.
Dolul, Mr. Harandra Nath.
Outta. Mr. Bukumar.
Dutt-Maiumdar, Mr. NIharandu.
Qangulf, Mr. Bapin Baharl.
Gayan, Mr. Arabinda.
Ghoat, Mr. A. K.
Qhoaa, Mr. Bimal Comar.
Ohoaa, Mr. Jyotlih Chandra.
Ghoah Chowdhury, Mr. Haran Chandra.
Oomas, Mr. D.
Ouha Roy, Or. Protap Chandra.
Gupta, Mr. J, C.
Gupta, Mr. Monormn|an.
Gurung, Mr. Oambar Bingh.
dalan, Mr. Itwar Oaa.
Khaitan, Mr. DabI Prasad.
Kundu, Mr. NIthItha Nath.
Lahiri, Mr. Provas Chandra.
Mahanty, Mr. Charu Chandra.
Mahtab, Blr Uday Chand, K.C.I.E
Maharajadhiraj Bahadur of Burdam
Malti, Mr. Nikunja Baharl.
Majhl, Mr. NIahapati.
Majumdar, Mr. Bhupatl.
Mai, Mr. Iswar Chandra.
Malllok, Mr. Athutoth.
Mandal, Mr. Annadapraud.
Mandal, Mr. Bankubaharl.
Mandal, Mr. Krlihna Prasad.
Mooktrjea, Or. Byamaprasad.
Mukharjl, Mr. Ohirandra Narayan.
Murarka, Mr. Basantlal.
Nandy, Maharaja Brit Chandra, i
Cottimbazar.
Natkar, Mr. Ardhandu Bakhar.
Natkar, Mr. Ham Chandra.
Panja, Mr. Jadabandra Nath.
Poddar, Mr. Anandilal.
Pramanik, Mr. Puma Chandra.
Pramanik, Mr. Rajani Kanta.
Raikut, Mr. Pratanna Oab.
Ray, Mr. Kamal Krishna.
Ray Barman, Mr. Rajani Kanta.
Roy, Mr. Ohaninjoy.
Roy, Mr. Harandra Nath.
Roy, Mr. Kiran Bankar.
Roy, Mr. Ram Haii.
Barkar, Mr. BiJoy Krishna.
Barkar, Mr. Rajendra Nath.
Barker, Mr. Prafulla Ranjan.
Bon, Mrs. Ashalata.
Bon, Mr. Oobondra Nath.
Bon, Mr. Batindra Nath.
Bon Gupta, Mrs. Nolllo.
BIngha, Mr. Arun Chandra.
Binghi, Mr. Narondra Bingh.
BInha, Mr. Bimal Chandra.
Thakur, Mr. Pramatha Ranjan.
NOEI-130.
Abdul Ahad, Or.
Abdul Awal, Mr.
Abdul Aziz, Mauiana Md.
Abdul Aziz MunshI, Mr.
Abdul Naftz, Mr. Mirza.
Abdul Hal, Mauiana.
Abdul Hakim Mia, Mr.
Abdul Hakim Vlkrampurl, Mr. Md.
Abdul Nallm, Mr. Malta Mohammad.
Abdul NamM, Mr.
Abdul Hamid, Mr. A. M. ^
Abdul Hannan, Mr.
Abdid Karim, Mr.
Abdul Khaloguo, Mr.
Abdul Mannan, Mr. Pablr.
Abdul Mombi, Mr.
AbduHahal Baaui, Mr. Md.
Abdur flahiMm, Tha Nan^Mo Mr.
A. P. M.
Abdur Rahman Khan (aZtoj Nui
Mia), Mr.
Abdur Raschid Mahmood, Mr.
Abdur Rashid, Mauiana Khandbar.
Abdus Babur Khan, Mr.
Abdus Balam, Mr. Md.
AbMur Roza Choudhury, Mr.
Abut Hashom, Mr.
Abut Kalam Bhamsuddbi, Mr.
Abut Masud, Mr. Kazl.
Abut Quasom, Mr.
Ahammad All, Mr. Mir.
Ahmad All Mridha, Mr.
Ahmad Hotam, Tho Hon'blo Mr.
Ahmad KaMr Chowdhury, Mr.
Akbar Alt, Maidvl.
Ait Ahmad Chawdhury, Mr.
All Ahmad Khan, Mr.
Aiiwara Khatun.
MOTIONS OF NO^NFIDENOE.
in
1946 .}
Arif enmohm (OHilHI M**)! •4.
Aiin All MiAttar, Mr.
Aiilatf HMMin Kha«, Mr.
Ailiur Rahman, Hr. ty#^
RaHHiaiaiiiaii Muhammad illat, Mr.
Safatuddin Talukdar, Mr. A. K. M.
•arman. Mr. Marin Chandra,
tarury, Mr. Dwarfca Math.
Rhiwatt Mr. Bhola Nath.
Ebrahim Khan, Mr.
Emaduddln Ahammad, Mr.
Cikandar All Khan, Mr.
Farid Ahmad Choardhury, Mr.
Faziul Hiiq, Mr. A. K.
Failul Karim, Mr.
Fazlur Qadfr, Mr.
Fazlur Rahman (Oaoea)« Mr.
Fazlur Rahman (Mymantinfh), Khan
Bahadur.
Fazlur Rahman (Noakhali), Mr.
Oomtt, Mr. R. A.
Habibul Huq, Mr. 8yad.
Haftzuddin Choudhurl, Mr.
HamlduddUi Ahmad, Mr.
Hasian All, Mr.
4atam Ally, Khan Sahib.
Husan Ara Bagum.
liias All Molla, Mr.
ItpahanI, Mr. M. A. H.
Jasimuddtn Ahmad, Mr.
Jonab All Mia, Mr.
Kabir Ahmad Choudhury, Mr.
Kazam AH MIrza, Shahibzadt Kawan
Jah Saiyld.
Khairat Hotsain, Mr.
Khuda Bukhth, Mr. Md.
Khurram Khan f*anaa, Mr.
Lutfar Rahman, Mr.
Lutfar Rahman, Mr. Oawan.
Madar Bux, Mr.
Mahzuddin Ahmad, Mr.
Mahammad Afzal, Khan Bahadur Syad.
Mahammad Owali, Mr.
Mahammad Sayaad Mia, Mr.
Malibar Rahman, Maulvl.
Malik, Dr. A. M.
Mandal, Tha Hon'bla Mr. Jogandra
Nath.
Maniruddin Akhand, Mr.
Martuia Raza Chowdhury, Mr.
Maahiddln Ahmad (oitai Ri|i MlBd>i Mr*
Maihand Hasua, Mr. Abu Talyab,
Mobarak All Ahmad, Mr.
Mohammad Sharif Khan. Mr.
Mohammad All, Tho Hon*blo Mr.
Motammol Hoaaain, Dr.
Mudaiair Houahi, Mr.
Muhammad Hablbullah Chaudhury, Mr.
Muhammad Idris, Maulvl.
Muhammad Ishaoua, Mr.
Muhammad Itrall, Mr.
Muhammad Quaaom, Maulana Hajt.
Muhammad Qumruddhi, Mr.
Muhammad Rahquo, Mr.
Muhammad Rukonuddln, Mr.
Muhammad SlddlQuo, Dr. Syod.
Mulllok, Mr. Mukunda Bohary.
Musharrufi Hoosain, Nawab, KhiR
Bahadur.
MuzafTar Rahman Choudhury, Mr.
Naiarulla, Nawabtada K.
Nawalaah Ahmad, Mr.
Nawab All, Mr.
Nazir Hotsain Khandkar, Mr.
Nooruddin, Mr. K.
Nurazzaman, Mr.
Osman All, Mr.
Osman OanI, Mr. Md.
Paniruddin Ahmad, Mr.
Pantony, Mr. L, R.
Platal, Mr. R. E.
Ray, Mr. Nagandra Narayan.
Riokatti, Mrs. E. M.
Salim, Mr. S. A.
Sarajal Haqua, Mr. Syod.
Sarajuddin Ahmad, Mr. (MIdnaporo).
Saraluddin Ahmad, Mr. (Oalbondha).
Saralul Islam, Mr.
Shamsuddin Ahmad, Tha Hon’blo Mr.
Shamsuddin Ahmad Chowdhury (oiios
Badsha Mia), Mr.
Shamsuddin Ahmad Khandkar, Mr.
Shamsuddin SIkdar, Mr. Md.
Sharfuddin Ahmad, Mr.
Tafazzal All, Mr.
Tofazzal Hossain, Mr.
Wllkft Mr Q. C. D.
Yusuf' Hossain Chowdhury, Mr.
Zahur Ahmad Choudhury, Mr.
The Aye.s beinj? 85 and the Noes 130, the inoiion was lost.
(The result was greeted with tumultuous cries of “Muslim League
zindabad, Suhrawardy zindabad” from the Government benches.)
Adjoummsnt
The House wa.s then adjourned at 0-30 p.m. till 10 a.m. on Saturday,
th - 21st September. 1946, at the Assembly House, Calcutta.
in [21 st
fVoeiredhigi of the Beiifal Lofishtivi^ Aiieiflhtf AieettbM ttadei
the proviiioiu of the CovemmeBt of hdk Ael» 1936.
Tub Assembly met in the Asfemhly House, Calcutta, on Saturday, tl
21tt September, 1946, at 10 a.m.
Pment:
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Tafazzal Ali) in the Chair, 7 Hon’ble Miniate
and 203 Mtasheri.
EiNHitry ahout shorMiotice questions.
Mr. GANENORA CHANDRA BHATTACHARilEE: Mr. Deput
flpeaker, Sir, parbapa the House remember® that more than a month ag
I gave notiee of an adjournment motion regarding the bring incident t
Narayanganj and we had an assurance from the Government side twice i
this House that they would shortly give an answer to the short-uotic
question tabled by Mr. J. i\ Gupta on that subject. But most untoi
tunately Government have not given any answer to that short-notir
question as yet. 1 want information from the GovenMuent side and yoi
decision in the matter as to whether answer to this short-notice question r
which the Government assured us will Ik* given or not?
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: T would re(juest the honourable member f
kindly meet me in my (3iamher, so that wc may have a discussion w’ith th
Hon rile Minister concerned about it and find out what is the position.
Mr. GANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE : Mr Deput
Speaker, Sir, I thank \ou for your suggestion 1 sliould also like t
remind you again that some question.s 1 tabled in tlie month ol Juin
perhaps on the 2dth as far as I remeinher. Another .short-notice (|uestio
1 ohm gave notice* of, hut unfortunately the Government have not given an
answer to any of the questions which aiv of a very important nature.
Mr. DBPUTY SPEAKER: Will the honourable inemher please see in
in ray Chamber with a list of his questions, so that I may send a note t
the Dejiartment concerned to expedite the ansueis?
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA; IXputy Speaker ^
c<t»T. w«t'K It’* I
Mr. DEPUTY 8PEAKER: 1 will make the same request to all th
honourable members whose questions are remaining unanswered for a Ion
time.
STARRED QUESTIONS
(to which oral aniwert ware ghren)
The Titus river in Bnhmenhena niMivieion.
«47. Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: (a) Is the Hon hie Ministei
in charge of the Department of Irrigation aware^
(t) that the river Titus in the Brahraanberia subdivision is drying u|
at a place where the Anderson khal has fallen into the rivei
Titus;
(fi) that the silting up has lieen due to the carrying of silt by the
Anderson hhm; and
(hi) that the silting up has already affected the cultivation of boro paddj
in large areas lying to the south of that place?
im.) QOMows. m
(I) ih# MMidtr ilM tktimhiKty of toUtg
•iepo for prov«iitin|r tho tipf
(c) If ao, will the Hon 'Me Minister be pleased to state what etepi he
prop oii e to takeP
iii||lfTEIlMii.ollirte of tHe DEPARTMENT ef IRRICATION CNio
HonHrte Mr. Abul Fazal Mohiinfiiad Abdur Rthiwifi): (a) U) A rW has
been formed in the midiUe of the river Titus at the place wMxe Anderson
khal falls into it.
(tt) The matter is under investigation.
(tti) No. '
(b) and (c) The matter will be taken up for consuleration after the investi*
gation is complete.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon'ble
Minister be pleased to state whether a definite policy is beinj^ followed by
Government in the matter of excavation, resuscitation and removal of sift
of Titas, Goonity, Silonia, Karnafuly and other rivers of ('hittagong?
The Hon'bla Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANS
Government have got a desBnite policy about them.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is the Hon'ble
Minister aware that agriculture in BrahmanbaVia and Tipperab is being
seriously aflfected due to the indifference of tlovernment in not regulating
the cnurse.s of these rivers in this subdivision?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANr
Government is now ctmtemplating to have a detinilc scheme about resuscitat-
ing all these rivers.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: fs the llon'bW
Minister aware that flood is becoming a normal and annual affair in
(joniilla, Keni aiul Noukiiali due the silting up of rivers and, if #o,
whether Government is prepared to thoroughly investigate the river problem
oi the (’liittagong DiNision?
Tht Hoii’bit Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANl
Govcriinienl are investigating Ihorrmghly the rivet problem in the Chitta-
gong Division and toi that purpose they iiave opened up a special division
in Chittagong.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE: Is the Kon’blo
Minister aware that the rivers Siialakhya and Buri Gangu in the Dacca
district have been silted up and if immediate action is not taken to clear
the silt, not only the health but the business of that distrn t also will suffer
very much?
Thu HMfbM Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANl
1 shall take note of that.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: When will the
inveaiigution be complete?
Tbe Hon’blt Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANl
It is very difficult for me to give the exact date. If tht honourable member
.wants definite information, 1 shall ask for notice.
Mr. NIHARENDU DATTA MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon'bla Minister
lie pkae^ to state whether at the time the Anderson Khal was oonstmeted
any arrangements were ma<ie by dredging or otherwise for the removal of
the sediment that was deposited in the river bed giving rise to this c/wr—
whedker any arrangements for dredging were mode ti order te keep the
mouth of the khal open ^rongbont Ihe ynaef
174
^ QUESTIONS.
[21st SiPT.,
Tht Hofi’bift Mr. AlUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ADDUR RAHMAN:
It difficult to answer the question off>hand. I would ask for notioe if
the honourable member wants detailed information.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMOAR: Will the Hon'ble Minister
be pleased to state whether the scheme for the construction of the khal also
includes plans for dredging in order to maintain the khal in proper order F
The Hofi’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Yes, of course that has been done.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: What has been doneP
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Proper arrangement for dredging has been done.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: If poper arrangement for
dredging was done at the time the khal was constructed, how is it that so
mu(;h silt was allowed to be deposited in the river bed which has resulted in
drying up of the river and the khal itself?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Government has no such information,
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, the Hou’ble Minister
replitMl tlmt proper arrangement was made for the purpose of dredging.
Basing on that information may I know whether the arrangement was
carried out regularly so as not to allow the silting up of the mouth of the
khal an{l conse<jueiitly the river to dry up?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
I shall look into the question.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Do I take it then that the
Hon’ble Minister is not in a position to tell the House us to what precise
arrangement for dredging and for maintaining the khal after construction
was made at the time the khal was constructed?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
The khal was constructed hv the Canal Subdivisional Officer and, as such,
Irrigation Department have not got any information available here.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ? Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state when the khal was completed and what was the total expenditure
that was mode to complete the khal?
The Hon'ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
1 ask for notioe?
Mr. GANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARilEE: With reference to
answer (b) and (c) w'ill the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state when this
investigation will he completed?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
It is difficult for me to give the exact date when the investigation will be
completed. If the honourable member wants that information I shall ask
for notice.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Next (|uestioii.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, this is a very important
question.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: 1 have already called the next question.
You have taken enough time to put supplementariee.
I94&] QFtSTIONS. 1*
Mr* MIHARtHOU OUTT^MAZUMDAIl! The whole oommuiiioation
line of your division is in danger, Sir.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: 1 ,ani personally interested in the question,
and I would have myself taken part if I were not to preside over today’s
meeting. You already had ample opportunities to put supplementary
questions.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: With regard to his answer
that the matter is under investigation, will the llon’hle Minister he pleased
to state, who are the investigating authorities and what experts have, if
any, been employed for the pupo.se ot investigation into the matter of a
technical nature, which will also require some amount of skill and
engineering knowledge ^
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
The Engineers of the Irrigation Department are making iiiNestigations.
Yams for Rshermen.
*4S. Mr. HARAN CHANDRA BURMAN: {a) Will the Hon’ble Minis-
ter in charge of the Department of f isheries Ik* pleu.ied to state —
(0 how much (puuitities (»f yarns ot different counts for each district
have been allotted, monthly and yearly, for the fishermen and
how they are lieing ilistrihuted ;
(/<) what higher counts of yarns are allotted for the fishermen; and
(ni) how they are ascertained for the fishermen’s nets?
(/;l If no higher counts of yarns are allott«*d for the fishermen, will (he
Uou’ble Minister Ik* pleased to state the leuson thereof?
MINISTER-iiH^harge of the DEPARTMENT of FISHERIES (tho
Hon’ble Mr. Abmed Hossain): (a) (i) and (//) The total monthly allotment
of >arn tor fishermen in Hengal from the Provincial quota is 182 hales of
counts and an unspecified additional supply of lower counts. An
allotment chart has been pn*pared by the Fisheries Directorate on the basis
of ascertained reijuirements of the different districts, hut as the supply
available is inadequate it has not been possible to follow this fdiart although
every attempt has been made to make the di.strilmtiou on a pro rtita basis.
The Vani i.s distribute<i by the Subdivisioual Officers with the assistauce of
the officers of the Fisheries Directorate.
(hi) The requirements of fishermen were ascertained in several districts
by the officers of the Fisheries Directorate by a boust* to bourn* surM\y. For
the districts which have not yet been covered by such a survey, the reports
of the SulKlivisional Officers are accepted.
(h) Government recognise that the present suimly of high count yam to
fishermen i.s inadequate but the quota available is the most that could be ear-
marked for fishennen from the Provincial quota with due regard to other
requirements. A request to the Government of India at the high<‘st level
for an additional (ul hoc quota nf yarn for fishermen did not meet with a
favoui-able rea^ionse, but the matter has been taken up afresh with the Central
Government.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARIS With reference to answer (a)
(i) and (h) that the allotment of yarn for fishermen prepareil by the
Fisheries Directorate, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleaaed to state if
Government ascertained the number of fishermen in the differant districts
of ^ngal when they prepare<i the allotment?
Mr. ABDUL KABIMs Certainly, the number of fishermen was
ascertained when Oovemmeiil made a survey,
li
QUESTIONS.
[ZiST fi»OT
176
Mr. 8URE9H fMHiffltM OA$ GUPTA: Deputy Speaker m
wrfl frm 4 tfCtPf “The matter hai» been? taken up afresh with the Centra
Government”. ?t*pThr ^ «nri ¥Cf fV cn Central Governments-
iTtflF s nin ^ fV f
Mr, ABDUL KARIM: ^i, mm?
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA: ^f’7r^ c? cutst?]
wm bsPA iim ^ It ^ «nn wn wmtr^ fw ?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I liuve already .said that tiie matter has been
taken up nith tlie Central Government.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY; Will the Hon ble
Minister be pleased to state the names of the districts which have not yet
been covereil by the survey of the Fisheries Directorate?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Surveys in the district of Faridpur, Dacca,
Howrah, Hooghly and Tippera are expected to be finished shortly. Surveys
in the districts of Kajshahi, Nadia, Hurdwan and llangpur will be taken
up next.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon ble
Minister l)e pleased to state when was re(jue8t made for an additional ad hoc
ouota of yarn for fishermen and what was the reply when the matter was
taken up afresh with the Central Government ?
Mr. ABGUL KARIM: In 1946; 1 am unable to give the exact date.
They expressed tlieir iiiablility to supply .special quota.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: With reference to his an.swer
(a) (/) and (li) “the supply available is inadeciuate”, will the Hon'ble
Minister be pleased to give an idea of the quantity of yarn that will meet
the full reciuirement of the fishermen of this Province?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 want notice.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARilEE : Will the Hon ble
Minister be pleased to state if he is aware that there are many complaints
from fishermen that in the matter of distribution of yarn, there is much
corruption ?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 am not aware of any such allegation of
corruption.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister pleased to state if he is aware that some of the officers in charge
of distribution indulge in favouritism, nepoti.sm, bribery and corruption?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: No such instance has been brought to the
notice of Government.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: With reference to answer (a)
(i) and (u) that the yarn is distributed by the Subdi visional Officers with
the assistance of the officers of the Fisheries Directorate, will the Hon^ble
Minister be pleased to state if ^e is aware that in Kishoreganj the yam is
being distributed by the Mul^purpose Co-operative Society instead of by
these officers P
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 don't think so. Government gives the quota
to the Subdivisional Officer and I do not know how it is distributed by
him.
im]
QUESTIONS.
m
Mfi NIHAftEIIDU DUTT«MAZUMOAIts Mr. Deputy Speaker^ Sir,
I think this question ought to be held over because it has not been answered
properly. The question asked for a statement of the allotment for each
district. The answer merely says ‘the total monthly allotment of varn for
fishermen in IJengal from the Provincial quota is 182 bales oi 16—^
counts”. It does not give the allotment for the districts, and to the
supplementary question put by m\ honourable friend Mr. Muhammad
Ilabibullah Chaudhury, the Hon'hle Minister is unable to give a reply
and has asked for notice. The whole crux of the problem is the allotment
for each district to find out whether it is adequate, t)r whether it is being
actually distributed proportionately. I. therefore, suggest that it is a very
important question and it may he held over and a proper reply given. I
woulfl also say tliat the neces.sitv ol putting a Iresli i}uestion on this ])oint
may be waived so that we may not have to waste our time. The llon’ble
Minister might hv pleased to reply to the first part of the question, namely,
that how much (juantities of varn ol different counts for each district have
been alhitted, mouthy and ycaily, for the fi.shermen and how they are
being distributed. I submit that this que.stioii has yet to be answered.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: A good number ()f supplementary
questions were j)ut and the (|uestion was almost over. ' At this stage the
question cannot he held over.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: 1 have n*ad the answer to the question (a)
(n and (//). 1 am reailing out the answer again ‘^An allotment chart has
IxMoi prej)ared by the Fislierics Directorate <m the basis of, ascertained
icquircment" ot the ditb‘r<‘nt di^tri<’t‘', hut as the suj»ply availahh* is
inadc(|uatv it has n(»t been J)os^ihle to hdlow this chart*^. fso the answer
sh(*ws that the wliole thing is in a nebulous state. 1 do not think that any
u>clul purpoM* will he servial by holding over this (piestion. Therefore,
J do not ])roposc to hold over this ((uestion.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, the position is this,
the intention of the (jU(*stion is to ascertain, out of the available (juota of
yarn that the {io\ eminent of India is giving to the Provincial (lovernment
what (jiiota is being allotted to different districts, to find out whether they
are being misused or being proportionately used. Therefore, in the aijsenco
of any answer to that effect, the (juestion is not really answered. There-
fore in the alisence of an\ answer given to that effect the question is not
really answered only by saving that the Fisheries Department had maije
a chart. The Fisherie.s Department may make an imaginary chart, but
that is neither here nor there. My question is — What is the allotted quota,
district by district, out of the available stock supplied hj the Oentral
Oovernment to the Provincial (Government.
Mf. ABDUL KARIM: (Government makes some allotment but in this
case they could not follow the principle of making allotments out of that
quota. 'Even if you, Sir, hold over the question, iho information required
cannot be funished within the current session.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is some point in the question that
Mr. Ihitt-Mazumdar has raised. Fie wants to know’ the actual allotment,
distriet by district of the yarn, and to that question no answer is forth-
coming. In view of what the Parliamentary Secretary now says, do you,
Mr. Dutf-Marurodar, want this question to he held over?
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: I would suggest that the
Hon’ble Minister be pleased to make an attempt to give us the actual
allotment made, district by district, because it raises a very grave question
of life and death to the ^hennen community of Bengal.
178
QUESTIONS.
[21st Sspt.,
Mr. MUHAMMAD HASIBULLAH OHAUDHURY: On a point of
order, Sir. Are you allowing a debate at this stage on a supplementary
question
Th$ Hon'bfo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI. Sir, a question has been put
and answer given, and I submit with due reapect that it is not for the Chair
to fiuggeftt in what form and manner the answer should he given. If the
honourable ineii»f)er is not satisfied with the answer, it is up to him to
ask fresh questions or seek remedy in any other wa 5 ^ But he cannot
suggest that the answer sliould l)e given in a cert.ain proscribed form.
Mr. NIHARENOU DUTT.MAZUMOAR; On a point of privilege,
Sir. My point is that it is my privilege as a member to ask questions and
get answers. Now my point of privilege is that no a!iswer has been given
to my question, and that theiefore the que.'ition be held over.
Th® Hon’bie Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The Chair cannot help you in the
matter.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT«MAZUMDAR: It is for the Speaker to decide
whether the question has been answered or not answered.
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Sir, Mr. Dutt-Mazumdar wants to know% district
by district, how much yarn has been allotted for each district. Government,
have state<l that they could not keep up to the allotment and that they had
to distribute on a /fro rota basis. I do not think any useful purpose would
be served by giving the allotment made to each district on a district by
district basis.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Then yarn is being black-
marketed, and that is wdjy allotment could not be given, district by district.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER. Gn this (|uestion I will give my ruling later
on. At the present uioment T do not find it possible to agree wdth the
statement made hy the llon’ble the Finance Mini.ster.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Sir, will you allow’ any more supple-
mentary (piestions on this question?
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Enough supplementary questions have been
pit and answ’ered, and no iisetul purpose would he served, I tihnk, by allow-
ing further supplementary questions today. If, how’ever, I decide to hold
over the question, you wdll have another (»pportuni’^y later on.
Conatruotion of a drain in the Maidan in front of the Mueeum.
*48. Mr. AHMED ALI MRIDHA: Will the Hon^ble Minister in charge
of the Dtqwtment of Works and Buildings lie pleased to state —
(а) whether it is a faet —
(i) that a drain in the Maidan has been provided along the Chowringbee
Road in front of the Museum, and
(it) that work for the same has been partly done;
(б) what are the specifications for such work;
(c) w’hat has lieen the rate of work;
((f) what is the length of such work;
((d whether any of the authorities .supervised the work;
(/) who is the authority ;
(g) whether the work is going to be rejected or approved; and
the reasons for rejection or aj^roval as the case may beP
QUESTIONS.
179
im.]
UtlNISTER ifi-cliirsa of the DEPARTMENT of WORKS ami BUILD.
INCS (tho Hon’blo Mr. Jogondm Natli Mandat): (a) (0 and («V) Yes,
(b) Concrete 6:3:1 with brii k khoa rouprh finished and without any soling.
(c) Lal)our cost is annas 12 i)er r. ft. excluding materials supplied
departmentally.
(d) About 600 ft.
(e) Yes.
(/) Executive Engineer. City Division.
(ff) The work is in progress. Question of approval or rejection does not
arise at this stage.
(h) Does not arise.
UNSTARRED QUESTION
(answer to which waa laid on the table)
AppoNitment of non-Bengaiee Muslims in the Agriculture Department.
IS. Mr. SHYAMAPADA BHATTACHERJEE: Will the Hon’ble
Minister in charge of the DeiKirtnient ot Agriculture l)o pleased to stato —
(a) how many nou-llengalee Muslims have been aj)pointed during tha
tenure of the present Director of Agrii ulture and how many of
them are Punjabis;
(b) why HengaJees were not selectetl for such appointment; and
(r) what is the proce<iuie that the pre.sent (jovernment are following in
the matter ot apiiointing men Irom outside the Province in so far
as such api>ointment recjuires an expert and in so far as it does
not re{iuire an ex|>ert ?
The Hon’ble Mr. AHMED HOS8AIN: (a) Four; only two of them
were from tin* Ihinjah. One of tliem, however, resigimd the iK>st soon
after joining a.s he did not fin<l tlm ser\ice conditions attractive enough.
The other Punjabi Muslim is holding only a tem|Kjrary post.
(fj) Bengalees with the requisite (|ualifi( ations were not available.
More non-Bengalee non-Muslim.s than Musliins have b<*en api^ointed during
the jieriod under (juestion.
(r) Non-fechni('al jobs are given exclusively to Bengalees. It is only
in technical jolw that non-Bengalees are taken when Bengalees with the
requisite qualifications are not available.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the ITonMde
Minister he pleased to state wliat steps (yoverniiient have taken to give
proper training to Muslim young men of the province so that technical jobs
in the Agriculture and the Fisheries Departments may he filled hy fhem.^
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: An agricultural College is soon going U) be
starterl.
Mr. PR0VA8H CHANDRA LAHIRY: With reference to answer (h)
will the Hon’bie Minister be pleased to state what he meant by the word
“Bengalees” appearing at the Ireginning of t)je answ'erh' Does he mean
by that word “sons of Bengal” or w*as the word used in any other restricted
eense?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: .Sons of Bengal.
Mr. CANENORA CHANDRA BHATTACHARdEE: What are the
apecial qualifications of the •present incumbent to the jiost of Director of
Agriculture?
180
QUESTIONS.
[21st Sept.,
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I want notice.
Mr. ABDUt lABUR KHAN! What is the percentage of cows that are
annually pun^haaed from the Punjab!'
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I submit that that question tloes not arise.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: How many Bengali
non-Mu.slims have been appointed during the period under question?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Eleven.
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Is the Hou'ble Minister aware that more
than 50 per cent, of the cows purchased from the Punjab die in the first
year, that at least 30 pei- cent, die in the second year, and that 25 per cent,
die in the third year?
The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Then the deaths come to more
than a hundred per cent, of the total number! (Laughter.)
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: In view of the fact that mortality of the
Punjab cows is so serious and so many, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
to state if other sounes of securing cows foi this province will be tapped?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I liave only to su> that (jovernment do not
employ cows us employees of the Government.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY; In view of the fact
that the Agriculture Department is gradually going to bo expanded and
the Muslims have vital intere.st in agriculture, does not tlie Hon’ble
Minister feel that a large numlier of Bengalee Muslims should he trained
up as agricultural experts so that in future they mav take chargt‘ of the
Agriculture Depart?m*nt? If the answer is in tin* affirmative, will the
Ilon’hle Minister pleasi* state what stejvs Government took to train Bengalee
Muslims and how manv agricultural scholarships have been earmarked for
them?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: So many questions have been put together.
Mr, DEPUTY 8PEAKER: If you want to put this question, will you
kindly split up your question into two or three?
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: In view of the fact
that the Agriculture Department is gradually going to he expanded and
Muslims are vitally interested in agriculture, does not the Ilon’hle Minister
feel that a large number of Bengalee Muslims should he trained up as
agricultural experts so that they may take cliarge of the department?
Mr. DEPUTY 8PEAKER: Mr. Ghuudhurv, I do not think I can allow
this (juestion. It is merely a suggestion made to the Government. It is no
question.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: I want to know
how many scholarsliips were earmarked for Muslims for proper training in
the Agriculture and Fisheries Departments?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I do not think this supplementary question
arises out of the present question. It is a qustion on employment and
appointments, lleganliug schojurships, I want notice.
Mr. PROVAB CHANDRA LAHIRI: With re{erenc« to the latter
portion of answer (h) that more non-Bengalee non-Muslims than Muslims
have been appointed during the period under ouestion, will the Hon ble
Minister please explain the relevancy of this to the question?
QUiESTIONS.
181
1948.}
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: The relevancy is that sometimes my friends
opposite want to impress upon the Muslims that we always import non-
Bengalee Muslima aa if we have nothing to do with the non-Bengalee
Hindus. To make this position clear, the answer has lu*en placed here
for the information of the House that we take both non-Bengalee Hindus
and non-Bengalee Muslims.
questions and answers
STARRED QUESTIONS
(to which oral anawers were given)
Reduction of improvement levy on Damodar Canal.
*50. Mr. ANNADAPRA8AD MANDAL: (cil Will the Hon hie Minister
in charge of the Department of Irrigation Im' pleased to state whether he
has considered the (lesirahilitN nt redm-ing the improvement levy on the
Damodar ('anal which was raised from Ks.‘3-Jt per aere to Us. 3 m HH3-44
and again to Us. 5-8 in H)45-4f)?
(5) If the answer to (</) is in the affirmati\e, will the llon'hle Minister
Ik‘ ])lease(l to state to what ainmmt it has hi‘en reduced?
(c) If the answer to is in the negative, will the llon’hle Minister be
pleased to state what is the reason thereof?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MOHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN.' (a)
and (h) The rate has heeii i educed to Us. 4-8 per acre lor the year 1(145-40.
(r) Does not ari^e.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon’hle Minister please
give us tlie reuNon why the oiiginai rate was not adojited when the revision
of rate took jdace, viz., U*,.
The Hon'ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANt
The rate was raised to Us. 5-8 ainl (TO\eriiment con.sidered that Us. 5-8 was
justifieil, hut in view of the representation made by tli(‘ people of Burdwan,
Government just reduced it to Us. 4-8 for the year D)15-40.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon’hle Minister please
give the reason or basis on whicli Government thought that Rs. 4-8 was
reasonable and not Us. 2-9?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAIAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Government considered that Us. 5-8 was (|uite reusonuhle, hut in order to
meet the wishes of the non-official representatives, Government reduced it
to Rs. 4-8.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Will the IfonMde Minister he pleased
to state when the second increment from Rs. 3 to Us 0-8 was inaxle, that is,
whether it was made during the regime of section 93 administration?
Ttw Hon’Mo Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN;
It was raised during the section 93 regime.
Mr. JADABENDRA NATH PANiA: Will the Hon’ble Minister he
pleased to state why the rate of Us. 2-9 per acre should have been raised to
Rs. 4-8 when there is surplus every year in the Damodar Canal budget?
Th. Hmi'M. Nr. ABUL FAIAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAKj
Becauee of increment in th cost of maintenance and rise in the price of
agricultural produce.
u$ gmsTims, [21 st seft.,
Ifn JADABBMORA RATH PANJA: Was there any loss of revenue
in net receipt for Damoclar Canal in any year?
Th$ HfMi’bl# Mr. A0UL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
The question of loss doee not arise.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA BINHA: In view of the answer just given
by the Jlon’ble Minister, will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state if
he considers the ability of the tenants to pay a suflBcient reason to increase
the rate of taxation?
The Hofi’ble Mr. ABUL PAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Definitely. The tenants are in a position to pay Rs. 5-8, not to speak of
Ks. 4-8.
Mr. ANNADAPRA8AD MANDAL: Is the Hon’ble Minister aware
that the then Minister-in-cjiarge Sir Bijoy Prasad Singh Roy assured the
people of Burdwan that the rate will not be enhanced from Rs. 2-9 per
acre?
Th« Hofi’bla Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
I am not aware of any such assurance given by the then Hon’ble Minister.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Ilon’ble Minister be
pleased to state it cetificate proceedings have to be taken recourse to for
realising tliese rates?
The Hoii'ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
I am not aware whether any certificate procedure will have to be taken
recourse to but probably people have been thinking that by their agitation
they will be able to reduce the rate and that is ^hy they are withholding
payment.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the Hon hie Minister be
pleased to state if there was any default, how many of the tenants defaulted,
what is the aniqunt of default and for how many years they were
defaulting?
The Hon'bie Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
I am not in a position to give the reply offhand. If the honourable member
wants a reply, I ask for notice.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH 8EN: Will tlie Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state the percentage of income in Hie eainings of the people there so as
to justify an increment in the improvement levy from Rs. 2-9 to Rs. 4-8?
The H8fi’bl« Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Tlie price of paildy lias increased cent. p<'r cent. The tenants are quite in
a position to pay. As 1 have already said, they are in a position to pay
not to siieak of Rs. 4-8 hut Its. 5-8 and people were paying Rs. 5-8 and
their average income has (*oUhiderably increased probably 5 or 6 times.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Will the TIoirble Minister be
pleased to tell us if his answer that the tenants are able to pay is based on
any investigation made by Government or he is making a guess?
TIm Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
It is based on investigation during the crop-cutting experiment.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH OATTA: Will the lloirble Minister ^
pleased t<i tell us tlie receipts from the tax and the expenditure thereon in
tli;e year in which the tax was raised from Rs. 2-8 to Rs, 5-8?
Tbt Hoil*bM Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANt
1 ask for notice.
194 fcJ QmsnONS. m
||f» BANKUiEHARI HANDALs Is the Hon^ble Minister aware that
a Qmal Enquiry Committee wqs formed conNiNtinfr of members of this
Legiilature and high officei-s and they reduced the rate to Its. 2*9 in 1939?
TIm Hen’lila Mr. ABUL PAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANi
It Inay be.
Mr. BANKUBEHARI MANDAL. May I know why after proper
enquiry by the Committee Government increaae<i the rate?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANt
The committee might have thought it fit to reduce the rate then.
Mr. BANKUBEHARI MANDAL. Soldier.^ were appointed to realise
the rate which after pro|)er enquiry was reduced. What is the reason for
rai.sing it now? Is it profiteering?
Tba Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANr
Because the prices of agricultural commodities have gone much higher
than what they were in S<» ( to ve mine lit was a*mplv justified in
raising the rate to Rs. 0-8, In <1‘ew ot representations nnulH Government
have reduced it to Rs. 4-8.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMOAR: Will (he Iloirhle Minister
be pleuseil to state what was the rate of increast* in the yield ol paddy cro|>
per acre in the Damodar ('anal area as a result of const ruc'tion of the
canal ?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANS
I ask for notice.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon'hle Minister
be pleased to state wliether the question of rate of increase of the yield of
crop per acre was taken into account while assessing the tax on acreage of
the land in that area?
Tl^ Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANi
Certainly it was taken into ccnsideiation.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon;ble Minister be
pleased to state whether the cost of other necessaries of life has increased?
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Oh I yes.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the ITonhle Minister
please tell us having regard to the increa.sed cost of other necessaries of
life and of cultivation whether there is any justification for increasing tlm
tax?
The Hon’Me Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
We have just reduced the rate from Rs. o-H to Rs. 4-8. So the question
of increase does not arise.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: In view of the fact that there U
a great feeling against increase of tax, will (he Tlon’hle Minister <*onsider
the desirability
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: On a Doint of order, Sir. I
think the questions that are being put are not relevant in the sense that
there has been no increase. On the other hand as the Hon’ble Minister has
stated, this Ministry, after assumption of office, has reduced the rate from
Kfl. 5-iS to lU. 4^. Therefore the question (hat there is an increase and all
other questions put in that line are out of order.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon’ble Minister
oemsider the desirability of reducing the rate?
(No reply.)
QUESTIONS.
[21st Sept.,
lU
liwkktit in front of tho Caloutti AII-lMffa Radio Station on 2Mi My, IMt.
W. Mr. SATISH CHANDRA BOSE: Will the Hon'ble Minister in
charge of the Home Dejmrtment be pleased to state —
(a) whether his attention lias been drawn to new8pa|>er reports relating
to the incident which hafipened in front of the Calcutta All-India
Radio Station on the 29th July, 1946;
(/j) whether a number of girl students lielonging to the Bengal Pro-
vincial Students* Federation were posted tor peaceful picketing
in front of the said station on that clay when a general strike had
lieen decdared in support of the jiostal employees on strike;
(c) whether the said girls reijuestcMl the officers in charge of the said
station to close nown the said station for that day;
(d) whether a well-know^n officer in charge of programmes sent for the
j)oli(;e although the said girls liehaved with commendable restraint
throughout and there was no occasion for police action or inter-
ference ;
(e) whether European sergeants charged the said girls with batons and
a jee[) containing European sergeants w’as driven straight on to
the said girls ;
(/} whether seven of Hie girls v^ere badly hurt and all of them received
injuries ;
(^) whether (io\ernment propose to make a sifting enquiry into the
matter and take action against the Sergeants if found guilty;
and
[h} if not, why not?
MINI8TER-m.charge of the HOME DEPARTMENT (the Hon’ble Mr.
H. 8. 8uhrawardy): (i^/) Yes,
(h) A number of girl picketers posted themselves in front of the All-
India Radio Station.
((’) (’ertain W(mien volunteers went into the building and demanded that
broadcasting sluuild ceast* for tlie day.
(d) The |K)lice intervened wluui they came to learn that crowd of picket-
ers had invaded the head(juarters station (»f the All-India Radio and were
preventing the stutf from performing their duties.
(e) No.
(/) No. (hie woman jiicketer is reported to have been slightly grazed
by the mudguard of a isdice car owing to her having misjudgeil the distance
betw'een herself and the gate as the car drove in.
(//) and (/») 1 am satisfied tliat the |M>li(‘e handled the difficult situation
in a tactful manner and that no blame uttai hes to them.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABI6ULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the IWble
Mini.ster he pleased to state whether Government will consider the desir-
ability of appointing women police to deal with women volunteers and
picketers?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: At present no such proposal is
before Government.
Mr. GANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE: Who sent for the
jrolice ? ^
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Tbe Police learnt of the incident
and was there at the All-India Radio Station.
Mr. GANENDRA CHANDRA BH ATTACH A RJEE; How could the
police know of the incident?
1946.] QPESTIONS. 185
Th# HM'bla Mr. MOHAMMED ALI> It m tbe biMiiiess of the ^ioe
to keep information.
4Y0TI BA8U: With reference to answer (r), will the Hon’ble
Miniater be pleased to state whether the women volunteers requested an
officer of the Itadio Station to close down work for the day.^^
Tfie Hon’ble Mr. MO>IAMMED ALI: Yes Sir: and the officer-in-
charj^e of the Station uLso iniornuMl the jmketei> ilmt it was not possible
for them to close dow’n the radio because at that time due to the prevalence
of the jxistal strike the AlUlndia Hadio Station was maintaining a link
between Delhi and Calcutta and it was proved to be the only means, i.c.,
radio transmissions by which news was supplied from Dellii and other
places. In view of this fact tlie authorities of the All-India Itadio exprt'ssed
their inability to close down the business, because thev were maintaininfit'
au e.ssential link of communication.
Mr. JYOTI BA8U: With reference to answer (i/). will the non’blo
Minister make it clear us w’as asked in tbe (|ues(ion whether one tifficer of
the H4kdio Station called for the poiiee to intervf^m* in this matter^
Th6 Hofl’blo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot state that offhuml, hut
the police learnt that there was a lar^'e crowed htdon* the All-Tndia Radio
Station not only at the ^■ate, hut that they hiul crossed tlie harrier and
had ^^one into the studio and the engineering: room. Tluit is why the
police went to the .spot.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the HoirhK* Minister he pleased
to statf* how they knew that il was the jj’irl pieketer wlio misjiul^^fMl the
distaiicf* i»etweeii hersidf and the K'ate aiul not the poiiee StU’^eant who
intentionally ini.sjudjfed the (li.stance!^
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: No, Sir. If the honourable
ineinluu' is ;iwaie ot tht‘ topou:taph\ (d the place lie will know that the J^ute
leading to tlit‘ All-1 ndia Radio Siatifin is very narrow and when the (*ar
was jjn»ceedin^ very caretully the \\onien \olunteers were not visihh‘,
and when the car was eiiteriii'ir the Station the women volunteers Ihouffht
tliat if they came near the ^rate it.self there would not he suffii^ient marfirin
of space left for the ear to proceed any further hut they misjudged tlie
distance. I’lie driver of the car could not see the jjrirl picketiu’ who was
behind the ^?ate post anil she suddenly appeared in trout of the mud-j(uard,
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the ITon’hle Minister he pleased
to state if that infonnation is obtained from the ^irl pieketer herself? Who
made that information available?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Due iiiv<sti);uti>m uiis iiiaili- and
it was also reported by impartial pahhersb\ not ( onneeted with tbe Hadio...
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Wbo are they!'
The Hon'bl. Mr. MOHAMMED Ali: I 4’unnot f»^ivi* tin* names olThand.
Mr. JYOTI BA8U: With reference to an.swer ih) i« the Ilon'hle
Minister aware that a woman volunteer who was sufijmsed to 1 k‘ slightly
hurt had to l>e picked up by urahulanee and taken to the head<piarters of
the Communist Party?
Tho HOflHlIe Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I am not aware of that.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Is the Hon’bla
Minister aware that woroon roiontaera entered the building of the All-
India Radio Station although no one is allowed to enter without a pawf
m
QUESTIONS.
[21st Sept.,
Th0 Nofl'ble min MOHAMMED ALI: That is the position, but they
rushed past the persons posted at the ^ate and because they were women
picketers it was not possible for the durwan or the caretaker to prevent
their entrance into the building.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: On how many
occasiouH did women volunteers picket in front of different offices in Calcutta
during the last two years?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot say. 1 think women
volunteers were also emi)loyed in connection with the picketing of the
Imperial Bank of India.
Mr. JYOTI BA 8 U. With reference to answer (r) did the jeep drive in
without a warning when the girl picketers were standing there?
The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: My information is that the
vehicle was proceeding very slowly, and sufficient warning was given to the
persons that the vehicle was going to get inside the premises.
Acquirement of land in Kalimpong for a cattle-breeding farm.
•52. Mr. D. 8 . CURUNC: (o) Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge of
the Department of Lund and T^and Revenue be pleased to state whether it is
a fa(it —
(t) that there is a pro])osal for a<(iiiiring 100 acres of khmrmhal land
in the Dungra block in Kalimpong subdivision in the district of
Darjeeling for starting a cattle-breeding farm;
(ii) that the land is close to the town of Kalimpong;
(Hi) that there are more than 00 families of the militan’ personnels who
are .still in the military* service within the area i>roposed to l>e
acquired ;
(iv) that the elevation of the profiosed land is le.ss than 4,000 feet which
is (luite unsuitable for the siri bulls which are found in a place
higher than 7,000 feet; and
(v) that the public of Kalini|smg held several meetings protesting the
pro[K)sal nml submitted the representation to the Government?
(h) liYill the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state what decision the
Government have arrived at in the matter?
MINI 8 TER.iiM:harg 0 of the DEPARTMENT of LAND and LAND
REVENUE (the Hon'ble Mr. 8 aiyed Muazzamuddin HQisain):...(a)
(i) The land is proposed to be accpiired not only for a cattle-breeding farm
but also for a multi-purpose agricultural fann and an agricultural head-
quarters for the training of Gurkha ex-servicemen.
(H) and (r) Yes.
(in) There are some families of military personnel and some retired
military and civil officers in the said area.
(ir) The elevation of the land being round about four thousand feet is
not considered unsuitable for siri cattle.
(h) It has been decided to acquire the land after providing alternative
accommmlation for the persons who will l>e displaced avS a result of the
acquisition. ^
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BH ATTACH ARJEE: Will the Hon’ble
Minister he pleased to state whether in consideration of the feelings of the
people of the locality, Gavenunent is prepared to revise their decision?
TN Hmi*blt Mr. SAlYtD MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: No, because
that IS the only suitable area where Siri cattle-breeding can be esteblished.
QUESTIONS.
107
im]
Mr. D. S« CURUNCs Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state
r whether the Subdi visional Officer and the Deputy Commissioner also pro-
tested against the selection of that siteh
The Hofi’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAIXAMUDDIN HOSAIN: No.
Mr. D. 8. CURUHCs Is the Hou’ble Minister aware that there is 75
acres of Oovenmient land which will W <)uite sufficient for agricultural
headquarters and for the training of (nirklia ex-servicemen ^
The Hon’Me Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: That is not
suitable for Siri cattle-farming.
Mr. 8YED MUHAMMAD AFZAL: Will the Hon'hie Minister he
pleased to state liow many multi-purpose farms have been established in the
Province of llengaly
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOSAIN; As far as ]
am aware, there i.-s one af J)ac(‘a.
Mr. 8YED MUHAMMAD AFZAL: Will the llon’ble Minister U*
pleased to state the reason which actuated tfovernmeiit to start a training
centre exclusively tor Ourkha ex-servicemen?
The Hon’bie Mr. 8AIYED MUAUAMUDDIN HOSAIN: He. •ause they
are ex-military men, and after being disbandecl they require some sort of
training.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon ble Minister be
pleased to state whether be has made any empiirv us to whether an
alternative site ('ould be found which will he equally suitable for Siri
cuttle-farming?
Tho Hon’bM Mr. 8AIYED MUZZAMUDOIN HOSAIN: ( VHainly, an
eo(piiry has been made.
Abolition of zomindari systom and pormanont sottlemont in Bongal.
*53. Mr. MD. ABDUL HAKIM VIKRAMPURI: (a) Is the Hon ble
Minister in charge of the Department of liand and Land lieveniie aware that
the jieople of Bengal are very eager ami anxious to see that the aliolitiou of
the zemindari system and Permanent Settlement of Bengal is given effect
to without any loss of time?
(h) If the answer to (a) l>e in the affirmative, will the Ilon’ble Minister
be pleased to state when he proposes to introduce a Bill regarding the alx>li-
tion of the zemindari fmd Permanent Settlement of Bengal ?
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOSAIN: (a) Govern,
ment are aware that there is a very great public, demand for abolition of the
zemindari system as quickly as possible.
(b) Govei;pment have accepttsl in principle the main recommendation of
the Land Revenue Commission to bring the axtual cultivators into direct
relation with the State by acquiring the interests of all rent-receivers. Neces-
aary propoeals for legislation are under consideration. Every attempt will Ije
made to introduce the Bill in the next Budget session.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUpHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state whether (he Bill will cover the whole of Bengal
or only a few districts?
TIM HMl’bIt Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOSAIN: CeHainly,
the whole of BengaL
m QUESTIONS. [21st Skpt.,
Mr$ EBfIAHIM KHANf Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state
what are exactly the circumstances which prevent him from definitely
assuring this House that the Bill for the abolition of the zemindary system
and Permanent Settlement of Bengal will be positively introduced in the next
Budget Session?
The HorHble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: Because the
Bill has not yet been drafted. The main provisions of the Bill are now
under consideration of the Cabinet; owing to abnormal circumstances this
could not be considered by the Cabinet Sul>-Comraittee Meeting. But for
this the main jirovisioiis <»f the Bill would have been approved by the
Cabinet and w(»uld have gone to the legislative Department for drafting.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDER. With reference to his answer
(h) where it is stated that Ooverument intend to bring the actual cultiva-
tors int<t direct relation with the State, will the llon’ble Minister be pleased
to state whether this relationshij> will be the same as previously in khas
inahal areas, or some other system will be introdu(‘ed?
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: In khas
mahal areas there are intermediaries, but here there will be no intermedia-
ries. Even in khas mahal areas we will do away with intermediaries.
Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state whether (iov<‘rnment contemplate to have a November Session for the
purpo.se of tlie introdiK’tion of the legislation for the abolition of the
zemindary system.
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAUAMUDDIN H08AIN: It is not for
me to say.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Rou ble
Minister be pleased to state when (rovernment will come to a definite decision
about the main provisions of the Bill?
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H088AIN; As I have
already stated we have already come to a decision; but for abnormal
circumstances we could place it liefore the Cabinet »Sub-Committee. We will
now put our lieads together and >end the Bill to l^egislative Department
for drafting.
Mr. 8YED MUHAMMAD AFZAL; Will the Hon’ble Minister l>e pleasetl
to state if any machinery has been set up to take up the preliminary woiks
for the purchase of zemindary rights?
The Hon’Mt Mr. 8AIYED MUAUAMUDDIN H08AIN; Freliminnry
work has already been undertaken in the districts of Faridpur and Baker-
ganj. We have already started work in connection with the levisional
records of rights in Sunderbans area in the last cold weather. As regards
the actual machinery for the purchase of zemindary rights that has not yet
been set uji. It will be set up by the next cold weather after we have got
the legislative measures through.
Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to
state whether he will be in a jmsition to publish the provisions of the Bill
within a month or so?
TN Hon’blf Mr. SAIYEIk MUAUAMUDDIN H08AIN: No, it will
take not less than two months* to draft.
4Y0TI BABUs Will the Hon'blc Minister be pleased to state
whether he considers the abolition of zemindary system with or without com-
pensation?
IMS.] QUESTIONS. ItS
TM Hmflli# Mr. SAIYCO MUAZZAMUDIIIIi MOtAIHl That i» the
matter under consideration.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Will the Uoii'ble Minister be pleased to
state whether it will take at least a year to pass such a BillP
The Hon’bta Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUODIN H08AIN: Why. you
can pass in a clay.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Will the Hon'ble Minister l>e pleased
to state whether (Government contemplate to brin^^ the Bill lH‘fore a Select
Committee!'^
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: That is not
for me to say, but for the House to say so.
Mr. MIRZA ABDUL HAFIZ: Will the H on' hie Minister be plcntsed to
state whether (Tovernment propose to hold a Novi*mlH*r Sc‘ssiony
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: I have already
stated that the Bill cannot be brou^rht in NovemlnT Session, iH'caiiso it will
be a lon^r Bill dealin^^ with a very important matter; besitles, it will take at
least two months for the Le^»‘islative Department t<» draft the Bill. They
have already l>een ^nven notice to draft the Bill.
Mr. 8YED MUHAMMAD AFZAL: Will the Hon'ble Minister l>e
pleased to state uliether (rovernme?it c<mtemplate to effect the abolition of
zeinindary system Indore the Bill is placed on the statute book P
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: 1 don t think
it will be proper.
Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL. Will the Hon'ble Minister he plea»«d to
state whether he is aware that there is a stnm^r feelinj^ in (he c<uiuiry that
the accjuisition of zeinindary lights should Im* without compensation f
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: Yes, in
certain (piarters there is such a feeling.
Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL: Will the Hon’ble Minister he jileased ta
state whether (iovernmeut have anv iMUisideration to the fact that the
zeinindary .system should be alndished without any compensation
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: (Government
have got the recommendations of the Floud Commission which sat and
deliberated over this matter for full two years. They cannot easily brush
aside the -recommendations of that (Joramission.
UNSTARRED QUESTION
(eaewer to which wme laid on the table)
Wrong pejfnient in the ofllot of the AdminietratoMleneraf.
14» Mr. ABDUL AHAD: Will the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the
Judicial Department be pleased to state —
(a) whether there was any misappropriation in the office of the
Administrator-General recently;
(b) whether the Government have made any enquiry into the matter;
and
(c) what steps do die Government propose to takf against those perspns
who were found* guilty in the case ?
m mm of obdeb [zut sot.,
MINISTER ill Miarg* of tiw 4U0I0IAL DEPARTMENT (IN Hoii*bte
Mr. JotKifldra Nath iiaiNial)l {a) There was no misappropriation but due
to the negligence of some of the clerks of his office a sum of Es. 400
intended for payment to a beneficiery of an estate under his charge was paid
to some fictions persons.
(6) Yes.
(c) The assistants resjwnsible have been directed to make good the loss
and this has l>een recorded in their Service llolls and in order to put a stop
to the recurrence of such instances in future the Administrator-General ana
Official Trustee has been directed to exercise stricter vigilance on his staff.
Point of Order.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Sir, we are called upon to vote upon
the demand for grants, may 1 rise on a imint of order Sir, the demand
has been (juitc unconstitutional. It is not permissible for this liegislature
to sanction the demands for grants. My i)oint of order is that the demand
that we are going to discuss and vote upon is out of order and not admissible
under the Government of India Act, and the rules guiding the
j)rocedure of this Assembly and as such it is not within the competence of
the (b)vernmeut to j)reHent the demand or the Ijcgislature to sanction the
demand in the way it has l)een presented to the House. It is not disputed
that in financial matters we must first look up to the Government of India
Act, 19dr), f(»r authority us also to the rules guiding the procedure of this
House. What does tlie Govenimeut of India Act say in this connectioii? I
read the relevant section
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Instead of making a speech it would be
better if you w’ould kindly refer to the relevant section of the Government of
luida Act.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA. 1 submit, Sir, that 1 am not making
41 speech. My point of order is that we must first refer to section 78(i) of
the Government of India Act as our authority. First, sei'tion 78(7) says —
'“The Governor shall, in respect of every financial year cause to be laid
Ivefore the GhumlH^r or Fhuiiihers of the Legislature a statement of the
estimated receipts and expenditure of the province for that year, in this
part of the Art referred to as the annual financial statement.” Sub-section
(*) lays down what details should he embodied and shown seimrately in the
annual financial statement. 1 shall now refer to section 79(i) of the Govern-
ment of India Act, I9;i5. There it has been laid down that “so much of the
estimates of expenditure os relates to expenditure charged upon the revenues
of the {>rovince shall uot be so submitted to the vote of the I^egislative
Asseml)ly“. ISub-sectlon (.i7) says that so much of the said estimates^as
relates to other expenditure shall he sulnnitted in the form of demand for
grants to the l^egislutive Assembly and the licgislative Assembly shall have
the power to assent or refuse to assent or assent subject to a reduction of
the amount s[)ecified thei^in. Now from these sections and sub-sections you
w'ill find that everywhere it is laid down that th® demands under the
budget heads must be estimated expenditure and any actual expenditure
must not be telescoped into estimates of future ex|)enditure. Now I draw
your attention to the se(*mid jmint that jmwer has Wn given to the legis-
lative Assembly to assent or refuse to assent or to assent subject to a reduc-
tion of the demand for grant specified therein. Now, Sir, if you look into
this year’s budget estimates you will find that the financial statement has
been split up into three columnar In the first column actual expenditure from
a certain date to a certain date has been given. In the next column has
been given the estimated ex]>endit«re since that date upto the end of the
present financial year. My auhmiseion is that Government have ncf power to
submit actual expenditure in the name of budget eetimatee. If the actual
expenditure is to be lanctioned, it must come as a motioii lor excess grant
POINT OF OBDEB.
191
im.]
^ad not as budget estimaiel In this conn<K:tion I shall also refer to certain
rule® of procedure. In the Central Legislature on the IGth March, 19)^,
it was ru.ed that if there is an excess grunt, it must come in the shafts of a
motion of an excess grunt and not as an estimate because it is nut really
an estimate. This point was also raised stune time ago in this Legislature.
It was placed before the Depot \ Speaker who was presiding over the
meeting at that time. He lett it lor the Speaker to give a ruling, but
unfortunately it was not subseipiently pressed to a division and no ruling
was obtained. On that (wcusion it was on the l^Hth February, 1944, the
Deputy Speaker observed~“ln my view the inclusion of actuals into
estimate cannot be j)o.s>iblc in any v»thei country than in India where it has
l>ecoine possible under the gaib ot usual prm tice”. That was his observa-
tion. My next submissi(»n is that you cannot split up the budget into two
parts, one consisting of actuals and I he other of estimates. The budget
must stand as a whole. In this counectiou 1 refer you to the ruling given
by the la.st Speaker on 7th duly, I94d. The niling was that the budget is
one unitary document, and eanm»l la* dealt with piect'ineal, and that the
budget cannot be sjilit up and treated .separately. Jl it is a unitary document,
that means that not only the actual expenditure portion is u/fra nres, but
that whole Huaueiul statement ((mtainnig partly actual expenditure already
incurred au<l partly the estimates tor the next lew months of llie year is also
ff/tru r/re.i. That is my second point, Sir, It has been laitl down in
.^eetion of the Government of India Act, ItTlb. that the Assembly has
got the power to assent or refu.M* to anient or assent f'Ubjta’t (o a nnluetion
of the amount specified llierein. Now, Sir, sujipose, Hoim*lhing that has
alreadv been spent is presented t(» this House as estimates. In that case the
Htnise has no power to i educe it because it bus been actually spent. That,
i submit, is a gross violation of the provision.s of the Gov»*rnmeni of India
Act and the rules ot jinaediirc ot this House. In vi<*w of this ruling and
ill \iew of (he above jirovisums of the Government of India Art and the rules
tnade for the guidame of this House, this demaml is u/fn/ r/njt and this
demand eaiinot be presented in tlie shape in which it has been done aiul in
view* of the tun(lament.al light nnolv<*d, I liupe you w’ill give your most
eari‘ful consideration to this most important ijuestiou. 1 appeal to you, 8ir,
to uphold the rights of this Legislature and espeein!ly of the GjipoHition
that have been given specifically and clearly by the Government of India
Act, and not allow the Government to trample down our cherished righU
and privileges
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: 1 take it that your first point is that the
aetuals (*annot lie shown in the budget and that your sec-ond point is that
the budget being a unitary document actual* of expenditure} cannot lie
shown under budget estimates, and that in view of ihese jiowcts given by
the'* Government of India Act, fhc* budget cannot ecmie in the* shape in
which it has been presented.
Th# Hon’IllW Mr. MOHAMMED ALI. Sir. so fur a.s the objections that
have beem raised are concernc'd, 1 have sonic* commemts to offer. T’irst, tb(*se
objections should have l>ec*n made w'heii the budget was first presented and
not now* when w^e were voting supplies, and more than half of which have
already been voted upon, anci only a few demands are left for the sanction
of the House. The hnnourahle member has referred to sc'ctions 78 and 79
of the Government of India Act regarding the form and procedure of th«
presentation of the financial statement. If he will look to (he rttles he will
find that, we have suhmittetl the* estimafes for the whole year. In the htldgni
we have got three columns for the budget for the current year. In the first
column is shown the expenditure we propofied to spend for the whole year.
In ff’e estimates for the financial year !ffl0-47, we have shown the actual
expenditnre incurred during |he Governor’s regime under section 98 as also
estimates which we pn>pnse to spend aftor otir assumption of office. There-
fore we five the estimatef of exjwndttiire for the whole yeaT. We give
13
POINT OF OBDEB.
[21st Sept.,
jH
actuals ot 19464T up to 2^th April, that is, the period of administration
under section In column 2 we give the expenditure required from the
24th April, 194h, to ‘list March 1947, and in column 3 the actual expendi-
ture incurred during the Governor’s administration. As required under the
Act we have shown in the first column the estimates for the whole of the
financial year and in order to make it clear we have given columns 2 and 3
as supplements. Therefore, the objection raised does not arise at all. All
the requirements of the rules and of the Act had been met. The other point
was witli regard to the procedure for sanctioning the budget which is a
unitary wtiole. 1 do not want to go into the merits and demerits of the rul-
ing of the Cliair given by the last Sjjeaker for I am bound by it. In
accordam‘e with that rule we have treated the budget as a unitary whole
and this budget has been presented according to that ruling of the late
Speaker. Now, Sir, with regard to section 79, when it says that it is within
the competency of the House eitlier to reduce the expenditure or reject it
in toto, it is (luite correct. It is up to the Hoiuse to reduce the grant and
we are bound to accept that; it is also up to the House to reject it in iota
and we should fw bound to accept that. So, the question of reduction or
refusal at this stage does not arise. It means that the whole budget is a
unitary whole as has been placed and if any part of the budget is refused
or tunied down by the House it will mean also that the total budget has
been turned down and we shall have to abide by the decision of the House.
So, the questi«m of section 79 does not arise at all. So, 1 submit that the
whole budg(‘t has been presented in acconlance with the section governing
the presentation of the budget and there is no detect or flaw in the procedure
that has been adopted.
Mft di C« CUPTAj With regjird to the first objection that was made
by Mr. Mohammed Ali that this point ofi order cannot be raised now 1 need
only say that it can jilways l>e moved.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think you need not say anything on the
point.
Mr, FAZLUR RAHMAN: Sir, 1 think that the point of order raised by
the honourable member is not tenable. Your predecessor, Mr. Nausher
Ali, the then Speaker, had laid down certain proce<liire in similar circums-
tances and the present budget <‘omplies with those directions — how a budget
is to be presented if a section 93 period precedes the presentation of the
budget and that has In'cn complied with.
Now, I find that the point of order arises from a confusion that actual
expenditure cannot be included in the total estimates. But section 93 is a
part of the (}overnment of India Act and therefore that administration is
contemplated and the budget when it has to be presented must include that
ext>enditure during section 93 period in some form or other. If you are to
maintain the point of order raised by the honourable member, then the
budget cannot be pre.seiited to this House at all. It becomes an anomalous
position. The position will Wome like this. 33iey will say “Well, look
here, ns it is a Governor’s budget during the 93 administration, it should
l)e presented to the House for samdion. If you do not do it. the budget will
not have samdion behind it,“ There was a controversy with regard to the
point whether in exercise of the power under section 93 of the (Government
of India Act the Governor’s budget should W considered as a valid budget
for the whole jear when the section 93 administration is not there, whether
the prwdamation under section 93 was cancelled, whether the budget was
to be considered to be a valid "budget. It was then held that you are to
submit the budget to the House for its sanction.
Now, Sir, if you maintain this point of order what will happen? You
cannot present the Governor’s budget under the rule ; on the other hand the
(^vemor’s budget will not be valid for the whole year when the proclama-
tion under that order was not there. Theiufbre Hiere must not be a budget
POINI OF OBDEB.
m
imj
at ail before tbis Huutie. That ia a positiou which cauuot be coutemplated
by the Oovernmeut ol India Act. It there iti any such mtion it should b«
so interpreted as to resolve that iuconsi^teucy. It you accept the well known
interpretation of law that sections are to Ik* interpreted so that they are
not inconsistent, in that case, Sir, you are to hold that this is out of order.
As 1 have said, the point of order assumes that the actuals cannot he included
in the estimate^. That is a wrong assumption. Supposing by the dUt
March in a iioriiial year the budget could not be got through tor some reason
or for some circumstances over which the Minister has no control, then some
of the actual expenses must necessarily he incurred. This is jiractical
administration, it is iu»t u question ol theory. It must he included in the
estimates. It is only to help the members that that column was sh(»wn that
this much of the expenditure was actually spent during the 9d administra-
tion, that is not a matter ti> he voted upon. That wu.s the n*asou why
Mr. Nausher Ali, the then Speaker, ruled that this is tlie form that slumld
be adopted.
Then, Sir,, under the Rules of Rusiiiess — I cannot refer to the rules
offhand — if there is anything vague, if there is no precedent with regard to
a matter in that rule, the Speaker can give directions liow the husiness of
the House should he truiisucttsl , There is ;i rule like that in our rules and
under those rules Mr. Nausher Ali gu\e (hat direction and the rule was
followed and tin* directimis were complied with.
In these circumstances. Sn , 1 would say that the point of order is not
maintainable.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Mr. Deputy Speaker, you were
asking Mr. Sinha to give \ou the substance of the argument put forward hy
him in regard to the point ol order raised by him. 1 think one point was not
taken down; that lias l>et*n missed. That is regarding procedure hy which
where soim*lhing hll^ actually heen .spent, that has to ha\»‘ sanction of the
h‘gislaturc hy ua\ ot motion, and tliere i> a ruling to that effect and my
friend (puUrd that niling My friend Mr. Faxlui Raliman raised one point
that il there art* circumstances (»ver which the Ministry had no control and
the budget could not 1 k‘ [iresentcd in time, there cannot b»* an> presentation
of the budget at all it thi*« p<diit of order is upheld. Hut, Sir. there is a
procedure in pai liumeittar\ practice to present such a hudget, namely, hy
way ot a motion. So it caiituit In* ;n}.;ucd that li once the budget could not
be pie^euted due to rinumstumes over whnh the Ministry had iio contnd,
the hudget cannot Ik* firesented. It can be presented by way of a motion.
That [loint may he taken into consideruti<ui by you in coming to a decision.
Mr. NIHARENOU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Mr Deputy Speaker, my
trieiid Mr. ha/lui Kahmun <'ontende<l that because of M*ction 9-1 government
and the exjienditure incurred during that regime the hudget cnuld not lie
presented unless the device that the present Ministry adopted was actually
allowed. I suggest, Sir, that financial rules and provisions are one of the
Mmstitutmiial safeguards for the rights of this House, ft is also an undis-
juited fact that foolish use (;f the arhitraiy powers of section 9.‘1 may lead to
anomalies and in the present case an anomaly has arisen. Even in parlia-
mentary prfM'ednre the rights of the House in the matter of the purse ensures
:nany healthy conventions and rights of Parliament which otherwise might
have fallen within the purview of the firerogative of the Frown, prerogative
Hod unh*stric(ed. MvUitts mvUnidis in the present rase, under
the roust ituti on Act this House has got the const itutional right of actually
voting u}H)n estimate> and in the budget only items which are eharged are
separately shown and all other items to be voted must eome as estimatiis.
And this House thus ensures its ('onstitutional pow-er over the Government
so that no amiOttit is to he -ipent beyond the charged amounts which are not
sanctioned hy a vote of this House, tllherwise there will be no constitu-
tional safeguard oc restrictioir in the giatter of expenditure of revenue of
m
POINT OF OEDEB.
[21st Sept,,
tlie I'rovince. The House stauds in the position of a guardian of the
revenues of this Province. The House has to sanction the amounts and
after the sanctioned amounts have been spent, the accounts have to pass
through the l^ubli<; Accounts Committee and come to this House for scrutiny.
If any amount has been spent due to any exigency without the previous
sanction (d this House that has got to come before the House as a motion for
excess grant. After the items of expenditure have l>een examined by the
Public Accounts Comiuittee, they have to come before the House as a
special motion lor an excess grant. That was the simple procedure left open
U) the Ministry. The Ministry cannot now take advantage of a eluinsy,
wrong and uneonslitutional jiioeedure they have adopted and plead that
unless the (diuii is pleased to give them some latitude, the budget cannot
he introduced. As you know, us an expert lawyer, everybody must face the !
conse(|iieiice of the rights and wrongs of his action, and the Ministry is
placed in that precise position. We, on this side of the House, submit that
the point ol order raised by Mr. Sinha deserves yoiir very careful considera-
tion and this House cannot abrogate its authority as regards its right of first
voting the estimates of expenditure before the (iovernment can l>e enabled
to spend any money; I, thereiore, submit that this budget, as introduced,
is irregular and void and ultra nrvs ah iuitto. It is at this stage (piite in
order to point out tliat irregularity and rectify the position. I, therefore,
sulimit that you will u('cept Mi. Sinha’s point of order .and rule this budget
irregular, ultra rtres and void ah init'o.
Mr, 8HARFUDDIN AHMED: I won’t take a long time of the House.
Ah regards the piunl of order raised by niy learned friend o]>j)osite that
from the legal and juristic jaunts of view such objection can be taken at
any moment, 1 resjiectfully differ from him. From the juristic jioint of
view and from the legal jioint of view' no jiart^ <an lie taken l>y surjirise,
nrovided there was an ojijiortunity to place one’s jioint of view in this House
before, Here in this House when the budget was introdneed ami general
discussion was allowed, our learned friends opposite took lot of time and
H|)oke lot of tilings, init then they did not <*are to mention ulKiiit this irre-
gularity of the form of the budg^et in w^hieb it was jiresented. They
reserveil llieir ohjeefioii for the last minute to take the (lovernment by
surjirise. 'Fhat is a jiosition which is n(>t eontemjilated by rules of inter-
pretation.
Secondly, coming to the merit of the (jiiestion my submission is that
the hmlget, as presented, can be construed as an estimate of the exjienditure,
as cmitempiati'd by tin* pr<»vi^io^ of the section just mentioned. In my
opinion these columns taken together can certainly, be construed as such,
because these columns showing the actual exjienditure nf partvS of the year
are, 1 think, helpful to (he memhers in coming to their decision. So these
three I'olumns 1, and together certainly can be construed and taken as
an estimate of the expenditure of the year which is really contemplated by
the provision. On this ground the point that the budget is not in form also
falls to the ground.
On these two grounds, I submit, that this point of order is really out of
order.
Mf* MUDA88IR H088AIN: Sir. I think this point of order is out
of order. (Tiaughter and cri^s of “hear, hear’’.) You may bearti’y laugh.
You may make yourself merry but the point is this point of order is out of
order. (Renewed laughter,) My friend Mr. Fazhir Rahman has cited
chapters and versai. My friends over there have also cited chapters and
verses, hut I do not take shelter, I dp not take protection under the
chapters and verses. (I^iujrhter.) The budget was introduced and discussed
from 20 to 30 days ago and many demands were discussed and voted. Many
1916*1
POINT OF OEDKR.
m
papers were read out but no objection up to this date was raised befoM Hull
no-confidence motion was tabled. It is t)eing done only after the no^oonfi*
deuce motion was lost. (Laughter.)
(Amidst loud uproar the iuei»lH»r resumed his seat.)
TIlO Hon*bl6 Mft MOHAMMED ALI: Mr. Deputy S]>eaker, Sir, 1 have
only one word to say. Mr. Siuha, who is uew in this Douse, is not aware
of what took place during the last session of the Dengal jjt'gislativa
Assembly. In lb4d also, after section iKt admiuisti-ation for a few days, in
April a Ministry was tormed and then a hiulget had lH*en presented.
The budget was presented in the House sometime in September or end of
August. The then lloirble Sjieaker, the predecessor of the present Speaker
gave a ruling and lie laid down ceitaiu rules winch have to be observed,
and then the budget hud to be rejireseiited to this House in l!)4d in accor-
dance with the directions given by the then llon’bh* Speaker. This year
in presenting our budget, we have followed the ruling of the then llon'ble
Speaker, Mr. Nausher All and it is in full ronlormity to the directions
which he gave m J94.‘l, Therelore, the (juestion that the budget has not
been presented in aeiordanee with the rules does not arise. 1 ho|)e you
will adhere to the ruling given by the then Speaker and will also see that
you will he satisfied that the lludget estimates that we have presented are in
full aee<»rd to the directions given by the S]»euker in lb4.‘i.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHA: Sir, in view of what the Hon Tile
Mi Midiammed All has ;,u.st spoken, may I sulnnit a few words inoreP
My suhiinssiou is that although 1 am a new memher in this House, J have
gont‘ tlirough the jiust ju'oceediiigs of this House ami I am fully aware that
u ruling was given by Mr. Nausher Ali in a situation that was almost similar
to the situation that has arisen toda> . Hut. Sir, th<*re is one difference.
The point ol order raised by Dr. Syamaprasud Mookherji*e on that (u'canion
was that the (rovemment had not presented the expendilun* incurred during
IhT regime. He said that the budget stands or goes as a whole. His words
are impriute<l on my memorv. Sir, he said “I know Z, but [ do not know
X or Y. h y<m are pieseiiting the bmlget in the shape of X minus Y-Z,
and if tw(* things are not known out ot the whole bimget, then the whole
builget is not precise and, theielore, tho whole budget goes. Now', Sir, on
this occasion the (luestion is a differmit one TTie < jovernim'iit have presented
the budget, but they have pnvsented it not in the way it should have been
presented. It is not a qiiestnui oi not presenting anything but presenting
something in a wrong way. They have presented it in tlie shape of on
estimate. 1 (luite realise that the sum actually spent must be presented for
saiK'lion of tne liegislature. That w,is ruled by the Hon'ble Mr. Syed
Nausher Ali on that oeca.sion. Hut I also submit that it should have lieen
presented not in the nature of estimates to get the hallmark of this Legia-
lature in this backdoor and surreptiti^ms way but in the shape of exeena
grants. As is the I*arliamentary practice in England and in (he (Vutral
Ijegislative Assembly so also it should be in (his House— that was also the
observation of the lieputy Speaker t<i which 1 have already referreil.
Mr. J. 0. CUPTA: Mr. Deputy Speaker, may I just assist you by
directing your attention to the exact point? It is not the defect in form
that really matters. Now what is the exact point? The exact point is this:
No Government is allowed to make any exp€*nditiire for the i^stimates first
being presented and passed by an A«semi)ly. Tii May's Parliamentary
Practice you will also find a jwiint has arisen in different connei’tions.
Whenever any expentliture has been made without previous sanction of the
estimates that has been considered as a breach of the privilege of the House
and therefore there has been separate procedure laid down for such a thing,
i.s., it must be scrutinised ^be^rehand bv the Public Accounts Committ^
and after that it must come 19 by a special motion for sanction of exceii
POINT OF ORDER.
[21st Skpt.,
IM
That is what has been sought to be done and why ? The reason is
fliis ■ No Oovernment can ever be allowed to spend a single pice of public
revenue without first obtaining the .sanction of the House Of course in this
case Government will say that it was not spent by them It was spent
durinir the 93 procedure. If that was so they should not have shown the
estimates from 1st to 24th and asked this House to sanction th^ Waure it
is openinjf up a way to Herioiis breach of the privilege of the House. lUat
is, Sir, the point which you will Bee anrl give a ruling u])on.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Am I to understaml that the point of order
is only with regard to the estimateB from Iflt to 24th April?
Mr, «|, C. GUPTA: The actualfl cannot be shown in estimate.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: 1 think Mr. Sinha does not mean that. If
that was his point this is clearly covered by the ruling of Mr. Nausher Ali
and the point of order ceases to have any meaning at all. I think he means
the whole thing, that is, from the 2Mh April to the day of the presentation^
of the budget.
Mr. J. Cl GUPTA: That also comes in.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHA: My point is that the first thing cannot
come, and if the first thing cannot come then the wholi' thing goes. It stands
or goes as a whole.
Mr, BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sn , M) tar as the ruling of the previous
Speaker is concerned, you arc not hound by that at all. Tliut is only a
guidance.
Mr. C. GUPTA: He is hound.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ha ve yn\ got anythin^' fiirthcj to add,
Mr. Sinha?
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHA: 1 think 1 have stated my points
sufficiently fully.
The Hori’ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI: From wliat Mr. Sinha has stated,
Sir, it transpires that he ohiects to (he delayed pre.sentution of the
budget.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHA: No. No
The Hon’bfe Mri MOHAMMED ALI: 1 think he contends that the
Governor framed the budget under section 93 and he trained the budget for
the whole year. Then section 93 was revoked on 24th April, 1946, and the
Ministry was put into office ami the Ministry was functioning from the 26tb
April. Now, the expenditure that has been incurred for the 24 days ef April
has been entered in tlie Governor’s budget. I think the point raised by
Mr. Sinha is that we should have taken sanction of the Legislature to it on
the assumption of office by us
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHA; No, No. My point was hot regarding
tlie question of time, though I understand that the budget framed by the
Governor’s rulae distinctly lavs down the period of time. I do not refer to
that time. In view of the ruling given by your predecessor, Sir,
Mr, Nausher Ali, my point is that if any expenditure has been incurred,
it must come not in the shape estimates but in the shape of excess grants.
That is inv first point.
My second point is that if you include actual expenditure in what you
term **e8timates”, then not only the actual expenditure canirot be sanctioned
because the budget comes as a who!e^ but the whole budget also including
tie period for which you are cstimatiug for the future goes out. My thira
1N6.1
POINT OF ORDER.
197
point is that it is not a question oi the (toveruor framing the budget under
aociion 93. It has been distinctly rultHl by your prtMJet'essor that if the
OoTemor framed the budget under section 93 and revoked it later, the
expenditure incurred during that period must come to the legislature for
sanction. I agree with the (iovernment there, but my i)oint is that it must
come to the legislature in aiu ther shape. Hut the shape in which it has
been presented not only vitiates the expenditure incurrwl during that
period but also the expenditure tliat you are going to make and as such the
whole budgt^t gtK^s.
Mr. FAZLUR RAHMAN: Sir, after the position is accepted that the
ruling of Mr. Nasher AH is binding, 1 think all this discussion do not arise
at all because he has said definitelv tl>at during section 93 jieriod the
expenditure which has been incurred has to 1 h‘ shown separately. Now here
the contention that has been raised is this that even utter seetion 9t3 j^eriod
there is again a period when a certain exjienditure has been incurred.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: That is not the point.
Mr, FAZLUR RAHMAN: 'Hien uhut is the points The honourable
member has said that actual expenditure has been included in liie estimates.
So lar as the actual exjienditure incurred is coneerned it is either the exi>en-
ditiire during the 9.3 period oi after the section 93 period up to today.
Theie can Ih‘ no other a(‘tnal expiunliture If that is not the jioint of
Mr. Sinha, there is no point ot order at all. Then if that is the position,
if the actuals had 1m*cii included in the budget, there cannot 1 m* a. third
period of actual expenditure. One is aetual expenditure incurred during
the 9.3 fieriod and the otlier is the a«'tual expenditure incurred during the
period from tlie end ot section 9-3 jieriod up to the time of today or the day
of presentation *»f tlie budget
Sir, the presentation ol tiie budg<'t has been made in uci ordanee with the
ruling given by Mr Nansher All. Xou, Sii . (he <|ueMtion of sunetion of an
excess grant does n(*( <*oncern a imrinal budgi’t. ’I'liey eonu' after the Public
Accounts roinmittec had gone into (he budget. Helon* the budget is passed
the ('ornmittee <d Aicount^ do m9 sit and therefore that point does not
arise at all and is not relevani also. Then what Mr. Nausher Ali said in
that section 9.3 period expenditure should be shown separately.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr. Fazlur Rahman, 1 think nothing more
is nece.ssarv on the point which you an* developing. 1 have made up my
mind.
So far m the first point of Mr. Sinha is concerned, viz , that (he artuale
cannot be shown in the budget estimates, I feel there i.s of eour»e aome
difficulty with regard to the provisions of the (rovernment of India Act, I
find there is no Hi)eeific provision in the Government of India Act, 1935,
for a contingency of this nature. Then sonic of the honourable member*
have referred (t» the procedure in (he rentral A.sseniblv as well ae the pro-
cedure obtaining in tlie Hriiish Parliament. Strictly speaking, in my
opinion the convention.s that are obtaining in the HritUb Parliament or the
precedents that are obtaining in the Central Tvegislature do not apply to a
case of this type In the provincial Legislature. In the British Parliament
nobody can dream of section 93 regime nor is there a responsible Ministry
at the Cehtre. So I am not really Ixmnd by the precedents obtaining there.
I have seen the ruling of Mr. Xausher Ali given on the 7th July, 1943. He
realised the difficulty about a matter of this nature. In fact there has been
argument whether there has been any dirction of the then Speaker as to the
thowing of the actuals in the budget estimates. But according to my reading
of the ruling. L find that what he reallv meant was that the actual expen-
diture was also to be shoi^ in the budgf-t. On that occasion His Excellency
tne Gorernor expressed bis inability to say what was the actual expenditure.
m
BEMANB FOR GRANTS.
[21st Sbft.,
That is why the Government could not show the actual amount spent on
that (x^vasioa for the period from the ht to 2Srd of April, 1943. The
Hon'ble Speaker, however, held that this should have been shown. Now i
find that the fi^fure of the actual expenditure which has been shown in the
budjifet has l>eeri done in acicordance with the direction given by Mr Nausher
Ali on 7th duly, 194*1. Some of the honourable members have suggested
that as a matter of form the demand for this excess grant should have come
before the House in the form of a motion. That is the only objection they
have taken relying on the ecmvention of llritish Parliament. As I have said
before, the convention of llritish Parliament does not help me in a matter
of this kifid, because there nobody can imagine a contingency of this nature,
I hold that the budget ean be presented in this form and manner.
Regarding the second point the budget is really unitary. No two
budgets have been fmesented before the IHmse. The actual expenditure has
been shown as u matter of explanation in one column of the budget to
satisfy the direction given by the then Speaker on the 7th Julv, 1943. So
the> liudget has not been actually divirled. As the honourable inembcr will
find, in column 1 the whole amount has been shown and the subse«iuent
columns are merely explanatory.
As regards the third point, there is no doubt that the Legislature has
got the power either to take the whole budget or to take a part of it. On that
point, I believe, no ruling from me is necessary.
So, in my opinion, the budget is in order.
Massage from the Counoil.
Secretary read the following message: —
. 1 , n*'®* AssPraWy be ankpil to
ini loii' Ass<.,iafion« (Korognition) Amendinont
I V. ’Ll'','; rouiu-il at its meeting held
on the loth August, 1946. ’
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
XVII ,etc.— I rrigation.
Th# Hon'ble Mr. aBUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABOUR RAHMAN:
On the reeonnuendi.tion of His Kxeellenry the (Jovernor I beg to move that
a Slim of Ks. he grunted for e.\|ieiidiliire under the heads “XVII-
’'l~^ Kxpenses— 18-0|hei Keveiiiie Exi-enditnre tiimiioed
from Ordimiry Reveini.--18tl)-0ther Heve.me Expenditure finaneel from
hamine insurume Euud—l!l.( 'oust nut ioii of Irrigation, Navigation
»n"l W“rks-H-Finaiieed from Ordinarv Hevenu«i
Works’’ Navigation, Embankment and Drainage
m MRKAR: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, 1 beg to
Rs l’.0,8,n(),(M)0 for ex,K.nditure under the hiad.
.„„i- «>» reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for moving the
motion is to raise a djsrussion about the failure of Government in ni»H« i T
provision for prevention of saline water into the lands under cultivation in
the Miutheru parts of (he districts eoneerned in the pnivince.
irh«l!l’ 1" "'u """‘I'®'’’*- <l>»trict8 of a4.Parg«nas and
it”*'?* ‘'*1' ^ »f^vrn without proper and adequate embankment.
"[ '**‘1""* "> the lands. Sir. so far constmetion
enihiinkments are being taken np by the tOlen of th.
** . '* ***•• impossible for them and
^^nd their B^yns to construct adequate and proper anhankmoita. Sir.
ditoatad as ihe la^ ars sear the big river. , falling dinotly to ihe B«y,^
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
m
im.]
the same are visited by floods almost every year. And as a result
thai^f the inadequate embankments give way and invariably the crope of a
very vast area are destroyed. It is well known that these lands are capable
of producing only one crop a year, and the destruction of that single crop
bring^s forth scarcity and famine necessitating other measures on the part of
the Government to save the people affecte<l from starvation and distress.
Sir, the failure of Govenunent to make provisions for construction and
maintenance of emliankments of lands luuler <‘ultivation in tlie southern
parts of the district of Khulna and 24-Pargamis has led the people toncerned
to manifold sufferings and distress which cannot be averted even with utmost
efforts on the p«irt of the Government.
Sir, 1 would now suggest that if the Government make a<)equate and
proper provisions for the (instruction and maintenance of the enilmukments
for lands under cultivation in the saline area so as save them from the
attacks of AckkIs, the valuable crops of vast areas in tlie southern part of
the districts concerned will be siived and then* will be no distress and no
famine and thousands of fsor p(*ople will lie saved from starvation. This
will also save lots of Government money.
Sir, with the.se words I would commend my motion for acceptance of the
House.
Mr. NIKUNJA BEHARI MAITI: Mr. Deputy Sjieaker, Sir, 1 move
that the demand of Its. 2,()S,()(),(H)() lor expenditure under the heads “XVII,
etc. -Irrigation” be reduced by Ks. UMI. The reason for moving the motion
is to raise a discussion about the failure of tiovernment to complete and
sometimes even to commeiK'e the irrigation works such us Soadighi-
Gangakbuli Diainage Scheme, Kaliagbai Kxtension Scloune. Dolnng
Irrigation Project. Jbargram Irrigation I’loject, I'litrangi Irrigation
Scheme in the district ot Midnaporc and elsewhere.
motion move vifst (.n c>Ttftf^
slWPtff^ Drainage scheme, Extensun scheme wcMWi
•jryrv ^1^ tipf] *1 vm tai vv ar. in vfl oi
♦fTJTV HTT'TC’S ^ Vf I wrb? Irrigation Minister cn 'iTf
4 I cif'nTt'i? ’urc^cs,
a w r y r e^ 4^; revetp 1 wtbt w?n
^ Mw I
tf^ ’tint rtutnj 1 w wr
I WCT5 wvn stro 1 ^ t
»nr»j *tii, \z 4^r ofbnn 1 nrevs vwi w ^
wtf I wpr mumoipftlit3n
wty |» jtv^t TPf vfrvTc? 1 ^pnirrit =n vtfftrii 1 ortimrfr sn
w iHte vini vrw w wt"i fffiv
fitimi 4t 1 ^ <t« nnx fjtvfSi »ff4 ^rf^rs vfv] fsmrf
cw 4'*!*! c’f^ ^ fi v? wif >fttnni 1
f5m 4f^ ^ i#f«n Htm 4v fi w;
vim vtiTcf 4v^ cvvrwn v>m vtvtni 4f; fsnrtcf t
0 ^ WST9 wm Of m basin ffs, wrfv irrigation MiiiiBter4f ^ wrrt«f ¥i1f. evt
3fff baain w*T:nf^ ¥>r«t vl vtit 1 ^ oriw^ ctrftve vtun cv «mi ore 1
Rtcvcf tstc^ nWlll wwi S^tciTO vfr ¥tFri meaaum m ofwn vii ^’c*f vififtjl
0 m 3fici ^ tfw ICT 0^ ftre ^ 1 cn meaaum c*Mii tw,
evift mm iRigatioii MhMm mnm cv d ^ look-gala imi» cm
m
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[21st Sept,,
(?) lochgAte 4 ?: w^rtWT lock‘gAte, fm sluioe^f^ ^
wTirWst ^ fro ^ 4^? 5^? I ’ryp? idCTO (TT pluice CT
«luioe^f»T ^ wfrrcf c*rs?n Superintending Engineerc^jf ;
^ coast canal ^ canal 4?r sJuicetsfiT ^ ^ « arfc^ ?n:^ #fir
OfSPi '«iWirp PT^ 4^s* Wf V3TT permission fro PC? Pfra ^ ^ i
4«1»r *r!rm 4 Pn‘ 4«f% pf? ■(>[ ^ prp, ^stpc^r tftw
wvs ^ 4^* I
4fl '-inf ▼fw CP^i POsp C4 relief 4ii ^fcr wfPV ^ cpqpi i
R elief vfF ^Prg ^i Tin ?rf9 mc^ pp c^nw ^ ^rncf—^ tytvs c^fcp
PHTCP, s pmp I CPT^ o?T& CK^ c^oi p«f "tfcpp ^ 4Px* Ifc;?, m !fff^ »pr« fwfirnpt
PlIPCP I 4^ relief ?« ^ pmi P^, 4P: medical relief 4^s PPTTl
ir?R^ I 4<t*iP temporary (TI >rw measures c^sm ‘Twr? (7T W 'Pfft suggest Tpfp i
fVi r^nnf cp <?r^ ’nr<j fvf^ 4i Wi
4m, Tfci 'Ptwt’F yj Kc^ ?p?r^ ?frw}? iri pcpcp fV«
▼fli ppf^i 454 (?r n^cf '^fc^rr^iri f^cp
scheme pcpf, plan 5TFF, Ttp I ^ 7m F7 'fPTQS PPKfls ;
4 mi survey \n, siv^ 'it? wjn p 9. ij’i* r^i m
pcsfnm I 01 p«n (?T^ pciff or 4t tikz pp otp^t
excavation *r(rpnr i ‘Brlft 4 fwp Minister xrfTon ft ^44 ^-rfp i
Maultffia ABDUL HAI : Deputy Speaker ^rfm. Irrigation >iTCf fc4^
4 w ^>rTrP I ^tfforir ftmi Government departmont4 orsTr? budget ^orm,
4r3’Pmr^; *i4i ^f^rm wsn, or 4f5fi 4tpc^s 4'3 ^ PorRorcp ^5fm c’t^
V47PCv(i5 ItfPi budget 4fr w^rrmr fjf'tror& l?mfi budget TCfmi f%«
Of fT^^rr^ 'tph ^t?R tc< or por 4ft oit
fTtTf fV ffff PCf or ^fcff 4? Government iif
PtPF I Irrigation ffOR OFl*f fCTTf^^r^ fpryi ftcwd? ^ffsrfVi; pcff jti i fi fpj pcpup tjjTs
C»r? 4f"Ff fcwf wfT. oifrcf fnorrff sc* heme, ff f^ scheme OFTf Cf^flP
^ FCF6 1 r^l 01 FTir^’i diviaion fTm wfT fP ^ Cfl, specially
omrt4t«Tt cw9n. or^ c^mnfT^ or li-n. cwrpff or '‘rsTf orffor orf ft^
fi ? Pffonr frorc^ FTl5‘5r*i di visioned 4ff^rrf ff*' cfsfi porep ? 4^ irrigation 4f
if for East Bengalop ^ f^^or f^fcrRi wrm 4t cf famine,
4t CP 4 cvf PCPF ; pmoff cp pcpf pi ^ 4TPT3r ▼tpi 4t cp, or pp 7 4m«f%
PtP. CP PP7 ItP ffO$ PCP, CP PP7 PTtP^tC® CPTPI f P PCW PtP 40T PP7 VPPC^
¥101 PTtP CP? PP7 ln¥ 'PtPtm Gov©rnraent4P 4¥?s ft pwf pt^cp pi i CPTiW^tf
<p 4tP wret, ^ branch^?
WPT? CPtPt4T«Tt ’l_=JP0rp P:PT ¥% TPP 4Pt PCPtPP PPP fpPi Pftw CP? PStPP 43 ^ PIPTl
CPP r cpffTP wtPfCfP Government oftP ftPT3 pnrcfp Pi i ¥Tfp ppo 5 Ft? CP CPtPWftf
Pff Pf3PPP ¥CP PI CfW PP 4Pt 3m P¥P WP PPPPTOTP PTPTl P^Pl Pt PP 3fPc*l
<PtiW»ftP Pt^PCff ¥f3 PPP PPPC¥ PP4 ¥Pr3 PCP I 3tP ¥tpp 43 P^ famine CPPTCP Cf4!
CPtP CP CPPP Government 4 ppfp pT? cp ¥p loan PtPi pi relief 4P ffPi ptptpj ¥CP 3ftPf
tftTltFtor I P3PTor CP PPTi pnr fpan-^wMPtPi pap©r4 cpcpctp cp F??ftP « pnftn ?Hc¥
4tPrPltP P^PfPl ¥ C fCf I 3ttfP P^ PH PFTP ffTfCP I CPtPI PfP ^fOH ¥CP PPl PtTPP Pt^^fiTO?
cpci fporoi I 3rp por PT)^ 4cpai i 4PP3tcp pft^fp efor wp tfm vcpcf cp cp«^ ptfli
fPfi ¥ff C¥tP TH CP? t ¥34P PftfP WJCffP PPrf| Of CfCTlPt^ ¥CP WfPftfl PtOItl Pifff
4P5 4? dsparimenLsP PW^ pft wcptfi cpp prTPfCP? CPt Kwt Bengalpf ftt¥ cPiwr ^m.
1046 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
201
qMoiaUy cnt c^^nwft cwm 5Tlf-5f*i »rfci ffc i r^ r c^ vgm tj» i jrnJtfi ltc*t»
^ CT fH ^ f^TT^Ts I am^ ^iTJinr ^ fi
ifHi f5fnr%5R ^ i ^rw c^ »ar St^s cnt IHcv m W| i
fWJhn f>r^ ^trc^ it?i csrnrwft c^m cm itof, c^ frrftm cm ofcs nrcwi «n,
arwi i ijvjrrz sr^r :fc^i nf^ vmi ^ wc^ i Jifsr^tr’f
W9f tfr^i ▼mi c^t Mr. Martin G^miniwiioner %»rR
diviaioiiii^ Martin m ^c^fvz^, (Tifns -wwi m Rir f^rnncf i wffir
nyTT^ wf^ mtcw^ wr^v ^ arc^r^ fn?rvi ^i^TH ialandii^ 'wf^ *m c??! t*R
▼mn? . ■q’t c^itfr^r cwn firni 4ir n^mi
y r #c »r < ! I w<r<f !
Mr. A. F. STARK: May 1 rai.si* ono point 'f Soim* yearH apfo therf
was a propoHul to .st*t up two rivoi (*oinmissioiis - two Intar-Provinciiil
Riv(*r ( 'oininissions — out* tor tin* (ian^es and anotlu*!- for tin* Hrulmiapuiru-
Mejrhna livois. I'ht* basis of that proposal was tin* Provinf*t‘s throuifb
whi<di those rivers rt«)\x liavin^ a eoininon entraiu’e for tlu‘se rivera as
action h> on«‘ Province may ])rejudice anotiu't Province. Now*, Sir, that
was some years ajfo, hut tlie proposal seems to have ^fone to
slet^'p. It has heccune all the more impoitant now la*cause since a number
of hydro-electric schemes have been mooted there has been a hydro-
electric s('heme in Pihar and another in Assam which miji^ht have a very
real effect on the flow ot water in Penjjrai. 'J'here is also tin* (juestion —
a very important {|U(*stion of torest denudation in (’hhotoriajfpur. That
was an (dd (pn^stion and man> honourable members must know' just how
far rivers in Penj^al aflect denudation outside this Ibdvince. I feel
that these Hiver (‘ommissions should jjo into the whole thiiiK’’- Hejrional
control of these rivers is abso|utel> ne<‘essar\ and I would like to «ee
the Hon Idc Minist(*r j^ivin^*^ a real lead to brin^ these commisHionH into
hein^
Mr. NI8HAPATI MAJHI: Sir, I bef; to move that tin* demand ot
lls 2,fiH,(Kl,0()() for e.\penditure under the heads “XVII, etc.-lrriffution,
etc. ", he reduced by Us. KM). The reason for moving? the motion is to raiae
a discussion about the ( iovcrn merit ’s poli<*y with regard to irrig-ation and
other revenue expenditure.
vpRh Dt'puty Six*aker vrfrs. 'mf? c>ii> r^3r:''f9 •vfffti
WJH I c^rfP b-o Pr^i m i cvr^
5nft.3imi, irm, fim, iivt wsrr-nrrfw 4^ fr<i smi cftfe ^
iT?n =1^^ ’tfVpm vnt i 4^ cf ,
vcw viPTT^ w?ic»rar? vFnri i fVi ’iflfKr wPt
^<tn c^pt vfrr® ‘\o m ?rtt vHicwr i wftr
viPtcwti ^ , fVi ^ ▼to »rf¥r#t
ifiR ct ^ rff i ▼t-tr^f^ cm ▼rtmcir? m m fiPtrflrfcrtr ^tctn
vTvn jftTfpi c^rsfhr »r?rcvrc^ f'fto few®: vto? sn i cm wi
vf wmc^ mv ▼tot Swr vtn »t c>r«M ^f«r¥ vr»i
wKi »pr^pi cvtir*fi wr^i vt^\ ^fwci i 5*pri v to vtr ¥f«!f
fTT ▼fin’sfiir® ?fet^ I wto 4fevt = 1 ^ wrpm irtn ^twwf to^-
^ ▼Jjritv irprtoff cf, ^ ?trm »nR Tnc^rm mrrs ipn BnncncR j^x
Rvi vTTm vTf^ ▼fnrfwJT vto wf^tr ffiw ¥w^ i
^ nm mmr ^ 4^x m wx^tw « ^'Spt vtctpr wwr »r¥ fiwft
feftn 1 tffB m,m « aiiiin ipn ci cfii nwi ft tu ct
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[21st Sept.,
tUfii ^ I fn? ^rff ▼fiRff? sfsr
in wmi m rtc^r m on srn?f^ mm rfc^i ^itfw i off^
ff ^'50 mm ^ to W9i mi <f/*R ftv «
frwi TOJT ^mv Ttmv i ^ stp to^rt i ^ fkm nPm ^<n
ffic’jff I 4 TO:?ra f f<f w^r f!<n i ’rt^‘t iftnr rni mv fV
•jnn c»f5*?fr ^m fs^i =ff<<n i aw^ jrf^sr wifi ^irf
TO ^5? 'stfsnnfs^ I 5ir? «fT5? n^rj -sf^ ’Rp-TOT
?f%TO; itrsnt^u c??rt5i «tf^?ri ipji jr<^ ^«f' it?] ^
Wf? TO ’rtTRlT I ilTO *RT^f? ®rW^f5 1 vf?C^ ^5?! ?«»
>11^'^ fsT^UR tr^nBR ^ vfn iif^ TFW1 ^1 JTt^^ 'mi
Ifwrfl? €^i^sr 5 rf^?:?r ^rt?i to > 5 ^: ^ to i
TOtORI «RT ^0 sfC^n tff^ 4^ m 4^^ oM srfii Wff, C^f’ft^. ^ifT^, f?;??!
ft?i y^TOi 4t^ ^fjrufir SiitTO BRi tfmr^^ TOFt^ 5J5 <r 2 ’rm-H
35WTO c*r2?n ;5f^ 1 ’Rinr “siir ??to, ^r^rc?? i|i? c^f^ ^ jit^j ,y\
cf^?i I oos ^1 c^ 4T&) W9 fiT'sr^^tn ^1 c9
^ TO !T 1 , ’lH 2 TO (TTOS PnrH ’*11 C^, ^“2
TOTC? yj\ l?t^i (Tf2iii Ttusc^ ^ I «nf^ '2Rcm<< C4, ^-stTO cn*i 500v t^r-F] tfntr.i
vs OT^^rRl 'life >ir^ 3(lt 3TCrf*ffl sfc^T'l I
wnrif TO (TTB 45 TO^ ?r^c^ I (M ''ttoTO
Tow «RTt cn TO-’fjf’m g mr-TOO ^ '^•ct mfm <11^*1
^ ’T^cw^ wfc^^--to jpi’FT? 2 to 5 ?i TOn TO o>
*TW 5T‘f PT^ <fto? 4=»: CTOt'^N TO'*^>3 W'<]
^1 ^ I f-Fi 'Q ^FTO*^ 5!??n jrf? ani toi itin mi^
Ft^fV <(% ^tm ^f^r|pr< t^i TO'j 1 'JW? it^ (TIf trti g
^tv fiFTOrtn m 1 fVi ’fTO?! frypfr<y wm c^ ^<vz ci^ ^•
wfJTt^c^CF^ I Jif^ 4? toi 4 ^* c»t5 g ’Ff^ ’tf^y’fTOF
!fK«t ^troi^ 5 to ¥rtr^ft ¥f<nn ^to tor ^1 fM fcfi
ism Tmflir^ Jifz^ 'irto 1
mm m 4 vlP (tif ^tofs 1 4 ? TOr to
4 TO«G sSO »r«F ^ f^TOi tT^ 4^ FtvRj < 3;¥9 n'TOnr TO ^to 5
^ ’TTfv ^f?«! TOrf?^ , =m‘t TO mcm\ FtTO 1 ^sTFtin
TOfi cwt^ #rf<nn TOt'^t stff jtf ^1 'T^rTO ^Rto i c? 4^ tpR
mVs ft^lTOR ^ TOTH (TO TOl STf« CW^ H^TOtG ▼CiR ^ I H^T TOl
TO HFfHTO TO «r:T 4^ TOh TOI €1*!? CTO TO ▼toC^ I
4 ^ mm Toth tff^slHTO to mmm fc*nf m mm to. 4 H 5 t fV |to to
4h; firottm i^rf^ nto iTf« Twm ^ctott 4^f ^ Hrf^ to 1
¥fH oFtW to *n Hrfnn wr^ ’fton 4 h; tot TO^fTF TOn »rc 1 T<r
¥finn TOitH ht'^'htcih to tftw ^jtoth HttocFH to ctoi wtofTmit cfto i toi to
to Httoi Ti »H hfRthth hito tog Stoi cm =n toihgI^ >rtTO*wt >rrfifitHi
TO1*T W1^ ^fkm WTOI. WrWTO 4H^ C^ Hrt HTN'Htto toCHl W! SftitCfH I 4^^
(jtftii TOttwH Hc^ G ^ntoro S*f^to 3^ W’T niiRH trtf TOtr^f ▼to ^jtoo? i
•ftowi cfm (▼!*? wr^ TO! Htocrp TO f^i Ttt^ *rto ▼[▼, to to >oo fiH"t
*Tto TO will CFm ▼?▼ n TO Htot RH| I 4TO ■fSTO >« ▼▼
tow, ^0 m mnf\^ TOcirto <m\ vo ▼▼ so tot luit i
0m mm to ««•, so* tft mtom m ^ uf ‘TO to ftnm w)* If* ft m
1916 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS,
M
flCTt cttfi ^ I 'wixfi c it ^^ ^ h t yn ^ »R iw9n cwi itircf i m\
’imi ?nr cntvi ;5f>^ fjf, tsimtmi fs? S*tf wfi
ofW «5i (?R ^ I w *fc¥TiTciR jrfirffi mf 4f:
rPiirfc? wfar^ -rfv 'tff MufSfcrstf i
4^ ^ r^^Ttc^ oTfl srtc^i wtfn< f svl* jnTt ^ftuciF
wtm^rd^ I 4!^^ r-f’Ti ^ mr 'tf^
<iT«t? I ^Trrrz f^c“WoT:^ i
Mauivi MAJIBAR RAHMAN: Mr. Spoaker, Sir, I take the lulvuntage
for (liscuHsion of the Hud^t't provision under tlie head “1 miration'’
and I regret to aay that no pioviMon has been made for anj‘
irrigation work in East Bengal, specially in the district of Noakbali.
in spite of representations suhmitted to the (iovermneJit of Bengal for
taking up the W(»rk of re-e,\cuvation «>f silted up Noakhali kluil, Hali(uiiat>
khali khal at I^akhipur and Dukatia khal in Itaipur troin different
institutions and puldic for llie last few \ears, tiu* (Government of Bengal,
specially the Department coiH'crncd, did nothing in (his respect, to
relieve the sufferings of the pe(>ple of the district and pn*vent huge
damage to its cro])>. The district of Noakhali. being situated on the
^ea slotn*. is often inundated hy saline water diimig summer season
< ausing damage to the erojis very often Ihuiee raiding of hmnls along
the sides of the sea and river i.s also a prohlem. On tin* other hand, for
want of jiropei drainage <luring ruin.s, a ver\ extensive area of tlie
district goes undiM' wutci to the serious loss of its (‘rops and gardens.
^1 hest‘ problems ami difficulties were trom time to time brought to the
notice ot the present Hon’lde Chief Minister during the ri'ginie c>f the
lust Ministry, who guvt* assurances to take iinnuMliate steps, hut in vain.
Owing to the rise ot an extensive char along tin* side and to
the south of this distii<‘t, the ahoveinentioiHMl outlets and others which
were the onl> sources ot drainage, have been practically silted up.
lleiK'e the question of iirigutiou woik is a dire necessity to save its
people ami growing cn»ps. The distiict of Noakhali, though a land of
fertility, has hcoome a deficit district, nay, a famine district, ow’ing
to above reasons. \\\> were given to understand lust year that Us. 3,(>(),()0()
for excavating Karuin Bu.x Klial lunning through Sudhurani and Begum-
ganj police-stations and Bs. 7,70,0(10 for re-px<‘avati(>n of Hahamat
Khali Khal within the police-station Lakhipur and Its. 1.70,000 for
Dakutiu Khal within Raijuir poliee-statioii, were sunedioned. Tenders
were called trom contractors, but to the greatest surprise of us all, all
w'orks w^ere stopped all on a sudden on filnisy grounds. The result is
that the crops of a very vast area of the district have become a total
failure which means loss of crops worth crores of rupees. To our utmost
surprise, this year also no provision has been marh*. 'lOie Noakhali Khal
which is centrally situated and which is the source of drainage of water
not only of a vast area of Sadar subdivision, but Feni subdivision as well,
being now almost silted up, is a serious problem for immediate re-
excavation. We also suggested that if the Government could have utilised
the service of a dredger at the advent of the monsoon, it would have done
some useful work towards the solution.
With these few words. I draw the attention of the Hon*ble Minister
in charge of the Department that immediate action he taken towards the
solution of the work of irrigation in our part of the province and
assurances for immediate execution of the work.
I^astly, I hope due justice should be done to all parts of the Province
and the money of the State should be spent proportionately and equally
all over the Province.
There is a special development programme wherein also no provision
has been made for our ^neglected area.
m
DEMAND FOR GRANTS,
[21 ST Skpt.,
NMfib MU8HARRUF HOSSAIN, Khan Bahadur: Sir, only two
minuteM’ fime has been given to me by pu. I do not know what I
can say within this short time. I w^ould, therefore, ask aniy two
questions. May 1 know from the Hon’ble Minister in charge of the
Department, what is the amount he is going to spend from the Irrigation
Budget for North Bengal as a whole h 1 know, we have got two Ministers
coming from North Bengal to look after our interests. As a member of
this House, 1 think, 1 have the right to ask wdiether they are going to do
anything for Norih Bengal. If these two questions are answered, that will
satisfy me for the present.
Mf« HARENDRA NATH DOLUl: Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand
of Ks. 2 ,f) 8 ,(K), 0 ()() for expenditure under the head “XVII, etc. -Irrigation”
be reducerl by Bs. 100 . The reason for moving the motion is to raise a
discussion about the failure (»f Government to formulate any scheme for
protection of agricultural lands from inundation caused by the rivers
namely, Seelya, the Dwarakeswar and the Mundeswari in the subdivision
of Ghatal in the district of Midnapore. ^uonivision
Sir.orMt’liJCW^TT’j lUeM subdivision i)?} ^ ^ 3
^ yen cw^n stcOT cn?
tfnUz 3 ^ ^
mwi ntnt wnrmtn m 1 4 ^ ^
extent? nf’tnrntn^f 31 "riwT^ nnes 1 yi-yi
■few entfn ven 1 !^ysrf% 3 F ^
entfn nm ^5^ nrn 4?^ ^
4^^ ^ srwfOfy yen ^ ^
yc 5 157 TO 1
4^ cn iiTfl -mT^^n ren nfm y^
RWT ntt»Ti ^ Tf^en Tt erm .fenn ^ f%
cwtn ? 4? nnn fnnTne*^ 4^15 R»»jn ^nen^i
’ffnc's sitfn 4 vrrRRm 4 ? 'tfnne? nit ncyn'n'.T^rc^ fVi
wm\ y’^ ni I nnn fnnr^M nfv -ini ^^rni yen vire^^r ^en nlyyTe^' ^
ntynn tfsn w»nn ’tnm JJ ^e^^ Tten Tten resen^e tank
ven ( 7 u:w wwi ewn ? nttsfi i
»nf% '8 nmerm 4^111 1 nt<R nnji.
c«r 8 m 4 y; ^ nnnfn^pj sFf^ai^fe! nme^ y’en wnrm m nc5 <re^ ^swwsv?
*td rnr-prei^tw 4¥fP nrnnm wvn ^ nit nyMncr ^ ^
tfW 8 ’tfnnn tpa^n wm ^*fTTt^ wn^n 1 nu-n wfnm -Jiit^ y^ 1
Maulini HAJI MUHAMMAD QUA8EM: nm^ ^
cwyfi ’iW’Jlf nyfyi 491PF1 1 npfn^» cw^n n^ ntn ’nei surplus district yc»Tt
ncif ¥rm c^i vfwH ny^ii $vn ny^ti nr?r^ 4iTPrn 4^^«m?niefr ewf fi
•rs^ >« «R nfe^rn c’fwpy ’ttni mc 9 t 4 ^ 43 fpFm nn nnn distress c^ie-sf^
^dtn^pr 4 Tntn cni't ytmi ymm fnm wcw ^en ^ 1 ^j«<en'^ ntyf^ 5^88 wtw 4^
ltt«m nrm nrenf^sR, T^% cn?i Jrfi' ynfni m ^r< jrenr wm^tm cm ripr
yfy oytlw in: ¥ni yn gjiye^r enrn yn yrwm zrm lun wrttj ’ire? 1 ^
rnn^ nit ncytfcm it ^*f ndni Itn me^ inro m ^ ,r.-wfn ye^ ^tren ism yirti
w I c^>« nit nw? y’ra frtV sfltn ^ ^ 'We^ 1 ^ nfv ^ m wir
wrm ¥11 yn ®yr*f ent 4 »ftfti cwnn nwi wf yrwtn ymrt ftntn ym yet
wiflf ^
1916 .] DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
f«i^ *ttn [ jft fwwtw ^ 4 fRci wt¥^«( vifl I TO TO*n
rfc*f c^ ^ rtj ^rtf^ ^ i
Mr. FAZLUL KARIM : or^f ■n’tro, nrrr. TOn *icf >fTcT4 fCTO ^
<rr^T f^i r « i tot ▼nnr JJ <fm ft
inH >3 c^ ^Rta frm cft wfl cw tfti
TO1 !(T^ 5Ti I fmtu 01 w <rti? m f-sfli fti^ cro
^ ^ I 1^., ftrR ?tsT^-TiciT-i ftrst sri^i ▼cffk^R c*i ortr»f^ cf^
m ^^1
^4? ^ 5?^ JTCVtwirc^ 'iRr-^T'f €«!•? JJtFtWTffl 'Itf^'f ftrffl
^Tftf ^ ^ W OfK^ I 31 ?’cw TO Wt CfTTR ^Tm ¥TO
TOT ^ I
Mr. KHAIRAT H 088 AIN : Mr Dt'putv S|MMkkt*r, Sir, ^ ofT# 6 b TO tt¥l
Irrigation ij? i 3 i <t to North BtuigaU^ tot tot torcfi
4^5 tTO ffft ^ I W<'st Ih^ngali]^ ¥^T tfnr n?-* I?t¥i TO ¥«r»iT . TOCT
TOm OFn nroi \Vc«t Itt'ngah? ¥<ti nf^ o cffS fit ^tfc^i m
Sfe fvi CF North Bengal, East l^^mgal a?t South li<mgaUF »F)^ irrigatioMl
^jrTOR TOt I West HengaliT F* ¥f ff. ¥rcw3 <iFr?:iT «J¥F nf^lF cfta TO
TOfF tfCTOTiT CTO^n IWF ‘^FTO f-Fi North IJengalij TO Sfcfrl TOTt I OHfTF
\ft FF iJFt jpppi i f3TO ¥CiT fFCf floo<l F3TO ^TTWfFl. ^f^lftF, J^htTOTlt
'Af: ^ F< 9®1 overfloo(lo(i fcf fTf i overflooding 4F tot FfCl
CF TOR FR TO1TF “3H ^fFfTTl iJFT TO FtCFF CiTIF "FT^i FR FCF TO I JJFftft F^^F CW>n
JfF FFF FT^/l. -OTOI FT^ FF TO ’I'TB F9F CW I FT<JF CWm FflJf;? % |
F:TO (j¥cT«tTt3f^3 f5¥l 5T^? FF CFC¥ TO^TT? TOW Ctfl? 5?^ CF^CFirf I TO |CF Cffr Fl1|
VCF Ff-^TO TOF TOtH filfl FI FCFC^ JlFT toTO *1^ fbOT W?T CFFfCF TO 4Fr ^^RnTOflt WPT
CTO TO! OI¥ft to?i ff I ?;>8^ TO^T Irrigation lX>partmentiiF ^fifFTOFF ¥trt
representation cw^iFi ff i fsfF CF ffTO u fsTO junction C¥d?
CFFRFTF FT^l nfTOT C»3F1 FCF HV r3^1 F F3 b^TCF I CF FFF F^t fK^TF FR^ FtFT^^
jtTCFF I Mf CF ‘ TOTOff FTOR F#t ^TOF FFFfaf TOFF CF^
^fjiyfj 1 FFTFF I f%fF i}¥FfF FFl CTOF CF^ <aTOTO CFCF CFFRfTfl TOFF CFFOJ TOFF I
TOFFl CFtlJT|t5 ¥TfF CF CFFRFTF Fit fsfF CWI CFTOF^ toUT OR I fTOFF ytF, fTOfl
ijTOFl TOTTRT division iJ tour CW^iFl tfCFtFR FCF FCFF FI 1 TOIRfF ^1 FFF FFf
provinceiJF Fit 3 Ff fftRi divisions o tour c<» 3F1 tfcTOR fcf ffcffi
TO Ffi I Irrigation Dt^partmentii cF FFjrtfF fFCFtf tou ff cF ftttof Ft
f^ TOR c»Fi TO I Lowest rate4 tender call toi trs, fro ^tofr fi scheduled caate<¥
contract f] (fto ftftt ff i ^TfIYto fcttoc^ wnsi (R9fi foo, ultimate
authority. Su[)erin tending Engin(«r f^rfF ^T05 f f jfF ff« fittof rror^ v'n jfffr e
scheduled casU- Ftr3 contract ft to tR ftfti cTOcf cwctf i
The Hon’ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMANi
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, before 1 go into the detailM of the cut motions and
also various other points raised by other friends, 1 think it may not out
of place to say a few words about the basic problem, the Depart-
ment of Irrigation and W'aterways h^ to deal with. This problem arises
in the main from the monsoon rainfall and its surface nin-olf. The
monsoon rainfall, copious as it is, is highly erratic and uneven in
distribution both locally as well as seasonally, and so it often happens
that there is too much rainfall at one place and at one time and too little
at another place and at another time. Thmi, again, Bengal is a riverine
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[21st Sept.,
M
Province mr excellence watered by the mighty rivers which have
their origin outside the Province. These rivers are swollen by the
monsoon rainfall within their catchment areas and the result at times is
high and destructive flood. The obvious solution lies in the conservation
of the monsoon rainfall much of which goes to waste and its
controlled release and distribution, as and when required throughout
the year. The .solution has to he worked out on a planned Province-
wide basis and chJIh for a careful and detailed investigation from various
points of view and for a careful co-ordination of the activities of the
various nalion-huilding departments many of which are concerned with
one aspeci or another of the problem.
To these considerations just mentioned may he added tw^o important
factors which are no less important, namely, the resources available at
our disjMiNal and the technical staff needed to implement the schemes.
My colleague in the Finance Department has already dw’eli upon the
general financial stringency with wdiich the Province is confronted. I
do not want to pursue this matter further beyond saying that we have
to d(*pend entirely upon the subventions trom the (Vntral Government
for the financing of our post-war development schemes. Apart from the
question of funds, we have to take into account tlie sup^dy of machinery
and othei materials which would he required at the stage of execution
as well as the supply of trained and experienced technical jiersonnel
without whose services no sucli scheme can he put in liand. In the
present unsettle<l conditions of international trade it is idle to expect
that the |•e(juisite maehitiery and materials could he procured, as and
when refjiiired. As for the technical staff, there is an all-round demand
for technical services and the supply available is far short of requirements.
These are two very nnportunt limitations which cannot hut restrict the
choice of schemes,
I shall now' proceed to discu.ss the broad teat arcs ot our plan and
programme. First and foremost, there is the ambitious Damodar
Multi-purpose Project which provides for Hood control, generation of
hydro-electric power, irrigation as w'ell us navigation. Tlfe total cost
of this scheme, which is under the administrative control of (jovernment
of India and is expected to receive a substantial measure of financial aid
from the (’entrul Funds, is estimated at Its. 55 crores.
Another major scheine which has been put in hand is the Mor Irriga-
tion Project winch commands an area of 1,24(1 square miles. Part I of
this scheme relates to the construction of a dam at Me.ssanjore, in the
district of Santhal Parganas and Part II to the barrage and canal system
within the Province of Bengal,
Part I of the scheme annot be launched until permission is obtained
from the Government of Bihar for the c(»nstriietion of a dam and reservoir
at Messunjore. The matter is under negotiation wnth the Govem-
nien of Bihar, who have not communicated (heir final decision yet. This
part of the scheme has to be kept in abeyance. Meanwhile it
lias been decided to go ahead with Part II of the scheme which has
received administrative approval at an estimated cost of Rs. 4, •‘If*, 00, 000.
The net irrigable area commanded by thi.s scheme is 5,05,000 acres in
those adjoining parts of the districts of Birbhum, Murshidabad and
Burdwan which suffer from a chronic' scarcity on account of a complete
or partial failure of crops in consequence of an erratic and uneven
distribution of the monsoon rainfall. The expected net increase in the
annual yield of paddy is esttmated at 44,00,000 roaunds. The net increase
will he doubled when Part t of the scheme has been carried out.
The tw^o major projects I have just mentioned, namely, the Damodar
Valley Multi-purpose Project and the Mor Project, besides several minor
schemes, will meet the requirements of Western Bengal which would
beneflt by ibs conservation, control and regulation of tne waters wbieb
1M6.]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
207
trtverfte this part of the Province. It is this part of the Province which,
an the past experience shows, suffers from alternate flood and
drought with the result that scarcity, either local or widespread and
more or less severe, has been a chronic feature and Government have
had to spend large sums of money hy way of relief. Looked at from
this standpoint, there is an undoubted need for immediate execution of
the measures which have been taken in hand and which, when completed,
will make a valuable and substantial contril)ution towards the food
resources of the Province as a whole.
The Mor Irrigation Project has been ready from before the last
World War. As for the Damodar Valley Project, the Government of
India with the vast resources at their disposal have taken over the
responsibility for the preparation, supervision and execution of the
scheme. This ex])lains ‘ why it has been pruetioable to take up the
projects so soon after the cessation of hostilities. It is necessary to
mention this fact in order to correct a misleading imnression which
might otherwise prevail, namely, that Western Bengal has engaged
the attention of this Government to the neglect of other parts ojf the
Province. Nothing can be further from the truth. To meet the needs
of the Northern, ( entral and Eastern parts of the Province, this Depart-
ment contemplate to undertake several coinpreliensive multi-purpose
schemes like the Damodar Valley IVojeet, the Ganges Barrage Project
and the Gumti and Kaniafulli D.iin Projects. A sum of Its. *') lakhs has
been provided in the current yt'aTs Bmlget fm* (he planning of (he Tcesla
Dam and Barrage Project which holds out u mure attruelive and
certain jjrosjicct. To expedite the jilanuiiig ami preparation of the
Teesta, Gumti and Karnatiilh Projects aerial survey and contouring of
the catchment area.s of the rivers have already been undertaken by the
(iovernment of India at an estimated cost of over Its. t lakhs. A major
project division has already lieen slartcsl at (’hittagong to push on the
collection of all relevant data, which is an essential preliminary
to the piejiarat Kui <d a major multi-purpose scheme like th«‘ Gumti and
Karnaiulli I’ro)eets wlueh will eomhine iirigation, fiooil control and
generation ol h\ dro-electrieit> . Steps hav<‘ also been taken for the
colh'ction of h\<lraulie data r)f the principal rivers in the Dacca and
Chittagong Division.s for Inch provision has been made in the current
year's hmlget.
This flt'partrnent has also taken in hand a large numher of smaller
projects for the purpose of both development and rehabilitation and also
in furtherance of the (irovi More Pood ('ampaign. The objective of
these seiieiiic.-s i'^ to impr<jv«* irrigation, navigation and drainage and
ultiniatel\ to imimive ag:ricullure and sanitation of the diflerent jiarts
of the J'rovirice. More than 'JOIf .schemes have beim accorded adminis-
trative approval at an e.stimated cost of about Its. 1 ,4l),t)0,(HK),
The aggregate area which i.s expectcjl to be benefited by these sehemes
ia estimated at about 7 o lakh.s of acres and the expected increase in the
yield of paddy at GO lakh mauiids. Out of these sehemes I'Ui have
already been exeruted and o7 are in the course of execution. The total
amount prcjvided for in the budget for the execution of the smaller
irrigation and drainage projects under the heads Development, Rehabili-
tation and Grow' More Food Campaign is near about a cjon^ of rupees out
of whieh about dfj lakhs will he provided by outright grants trom thi*
Central Funds.
As regards the point raised in connection with the Ganges and
Brahmaputra Commissions, I can give this information to the House.
We could not proceed with these commissions. Regarding the Ganges
River Commission, the U. P. and Bihar Governments did not agree
and with regard to the Brahmaputm River Commission although the
Assam Government agreed/ H&e States did ns* agree. Now we have
14
m
DEMAND FOB OBANTS.
[2l8T Sept.,
approached the Government of India to have an Inter-Provincial Body and
we hope that with the intervention of the Government of India, we will
have this body very soon and we can assure the House that we are very
anxious about this body which can take up this work.
With regard to other points raised by various members, I can assure
them that they will receive the sympathetic consideration of Government
and I shall do my very best to meet the wishes of the honourable members.
The motion of Mr. liajendra Nath Sarkar that the demand of
Bs. 2,f)8,()0,0U0 for expenditure under the heads “XVII, etc.-Irrigation“
be reduced by Hs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Nikunja Behari Maiti that the demand of
Ks. 2,08,00,000 for expenditure under the heads “XVII, etc.-Irrigation“
be reduced by ]|h. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Nishapati Majhi that the demand of Ks. 2,08,00,000
for expenditure under the head “XVII-Irrigation, etc.“, be reduced by
Ks. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr, Harendra Nath Dolui that the demand of
Ks. 2, 08,00, 000 for exjienditure under the heads “XV'Il-lmgation, etc.”
be reduced by Ks. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of the llon’ble Mr. Abul Fazal Muhammad Abdur Kahman
that a sum of Its. 2,08,00,000 he granted for exj)enditure under the heads
“X V II-Trriga(ion, etc.”, was then put and agreed to.
Mr, 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA: Sir, it is time that the
House should adjourn. We are already famished.
54-Fafitine.
The Hon*ble Mr. ABUL FAZAL MUHAMMAD ABDUR RAHMAN:
Sir, on the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor, 1 beg to
move that a sum of Ks. 2,80,00,000 he granted for expenditure under the
h(*ad “oI-Eamim*”.
Mr. RADHA NATH DA8: I beg to move that the sum of
Ks. 2,80,00,000 for expenditure under the head “o4-Famine" he reduced
by Ks. 100. The reason for moving the motion is to raise a discussion
about the policy of the (lovernineiit and uttt*r failure on tlu‘ jiart of the
Governmtml to co])e with famine and starvation of the i)eople.
Now, Mr. IX'puty Speaker, Sir, this is a subject of great importance
and gravity. Every member of this llous(‘ knows tliat each and every
yt*ar famine visit.s Bengal, and large numlier of people die of famine
and starvation. It is known to everybody ihat throughout the world
there is not a single civilized country where peojih* die of starvation.
On the contrary, what we find in Bengal is this that a large number
of people die ft>r want of food. 1 want to bring home to the Hon’ble
Minister in charge of Famine, as well as to the Government of Bengal,
that Government should make it a point to see that not a single man
in Bengal die of famine or for want of food. It is the bounden duty
of Government to see that everybody should be provided with food and
it is one of their most important duties to feed the people of our Province.
Now, Sir, I find that this famine is caused mainly due to want
of water in some places or due to want of proper drainage for clearing
out of w’ater from some pl^es. So far as East Bengal is concerned,
there is w'ant of proper drainage so that water may be drained out, but
so far us West Bengal is concerne<l, there is want of proper
irrigation, so that water may be supplied to the field and cultivation
may be allowed to continue. 1 st*e. Sir, that each and every year
Government is carrying on a policy which is nothing, but a mere show.
Government is practcially doing nothing for the proper resuscitation of
I«46.j
DEMAXD FOIi GBANTS.
>209
rivers so that water may be available to the farmers for their land
for their cultivation. In Kast Ben]?al, no proper scheme is taken up by
Government to flow out the water which prueticull> every year
flood tliose lamls. Every year Government must set apart an amount
which in my estimation will he near about *1 crorCvS of rupees, and that
amount must be a recurnn^*- one, so that , Government will see that
each and every year famine may not take place in Bengal. The thing is
this that lakhs and lakhs of people die out ()f starvation and out of this
famine. It must be the boumleu duty of Government to see that not a
single person should die for want of food. The suggestion tbat I want
to make is that Government should look after, so far us its policy is
concerned, that there should not be any want of irrigation in the country;
that Government should see that there must not be any want
of proper, and good supply of the proper kind of manure for the cultivators;
at the same time, it should be the bounden duty of (iovernment to Ht>e
that there should not be any want of scientitic method of cultivation.
Government should takt‘ into consideration all these facts ahout cultiva-
tion. I suggest that my suggestion regarding the recurring grant of
rupees four crores sliould be taken up by GovenuiHuit and there should
not be any lack of i)olicv on their part. With tliesi* Mords 1 suggest that
my motion be taken into consideriition.
HU8AN ARA BEGUM: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. IfGd will always
be remembered as the year of the dreadful famine (d Itioigal, wluui thousands
of human beings died in Bengal, and espeeiully in tin* great city of
Calcutta.
Those who have witnessed the scene can have lui idea of this
catastrophe. 1 (’an never forget tin* juctnri* of human beings, mere
skt*](*tons, in tatt(*r(*d clothes crawling on the stieets of Caleuttu. It is
needless to relatt* the agony of those who died of starvation. 'J'Ik* living
skeletons which remained were bnmght to liti‘ and taken under tin* care
of relief committees fornu’d by associat ions (d > a? ions nut ionaliti(‘8.
AV'hat remained were taken over by the (iovernm(‘nt .
Due to shortage of fund*' many of these ashocialions could not extend
lh(*ir services further. Gwing t(j this calamity many \oung girls wer<3
induced and compelled to lead a life of sliuiiie. W hat a gr(*at stain on
the fair name of Bengal !
There is a movement afo<d in hoiih- societies for the reclamation and
reformation of these unfortunate girls, but it cannot In* brought into
fruition without the assistance of Government.
The mo.st burning problem of the day is the rehabilitation of those
people who were once happy in their village homes, and who are now
adrift and existing on the charity of oth(‘rs.
The Government o( Bengal have started the Department of Belief
and Behabilitution with the main object of giving relief to the siifTering
masses of Bengal, wdio are living half-dead, half-clad, being bereft of
all their substantial livelihood. The aftermath of famine i.s also playing
the last havoc on unfortunate people who live in villages and hustees and
who are remnants of the famine of 194T.
In giving a brief sketch of the calamity, it will not be an exaggeration
to say that the Muslims of Bengal were the w’orst sufferers. 99 9 per cent,
of Muslim Bengal were the victims of famine and its after-effects.
In this connection, I would like to draw the attention of the Hon^ble
Minister that the women and girls w’ho are scattered at different places,
especially the Muslims, should be collected in centres where arrange-
ments should be made by the Government for elementary education and
to train them in handicraft and cottage industries so as to enable them to
earn a decent living and thereby lead a respectable life.
210
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[21st. Sept.^
I would further request the Government to appoint a Board composin|^
of Muslim ladies who have had ex^rience of relief work in this connection,
and it is they who can really understand the needs of the Muslim women
and ^(irls who are an asset of the nation and who have a claim on the
Government.
Moulana MUHAMMAD RUKNUDDIN: «Trmr c*i ^
onr <7r wt ^ i vcfit i
«:w»n ^ i cwsrpr tffs ’iw cw^ ;|%i
c«nr I ^ fir’jir) ctc^ i m
crr^i I ^ ’sPr ^nr i ^rpifrvir -^i-
c*R CTO TO I ’tlf^ c^f^tv c^pt ?rTvi vTOfen to^ ^n, ?Trr® <trciR« sn i
TOPf '4o‘^'cv«^ 3 fii'j’Ti cwTO 5r¥j ?fc^ 5?i I ^ i
03^ rzr^^ cwTO tar ^rror to vc<fT cTO^
fs3Pi 'HVs TO3 tf^rPTi iiyc^n ’trvrc;^ fro to ^ cwi
rjfro c*Tr c^f^r cn^ ^ ont i srft^cTO Tffir vfv $tar
*n cvavi vir, re-oxcavation v?, ^fror TO
TO ^*¥1 ’Trc^ ^T1 1 »r?:f ncn ^ftc^pr mi ta =rtk B^‘t cro
veil ^TPr •flC^'TtC'fl I
^ wntm^ »w«cwsTi,yt?pra m to ^(Tc^ i m to cto^ <fTr^
wf?'«r5Ttc¥ iTvi ¥<r< fli*TT (TT 4TOni ’rmft ^'ti5r-?y--Ti cviri^ cro cti^i ^ i cro ^n:<?
TOTi ¥1 ntarcT< CTO ?rr^f^ c^TO i c^rn
vflW nTO ftar^ Mr. N. M. Khan, f%rsi cb^i ofm ^jrn TOfe:^?? 4^^
*TC*f ^CW 4¥l^ CiJ WWf f4^pf< 4'¥ fT<T{? 4’^Tn TOT^
•tmi 'ijpf TO « s. D. 0. r^ttTO'i ta ij»f^ TO oTtc^
TOR r«T I c>i m c^Tfc^^ m 4^^ <TT^rc*T tffi; A'i (TT^ft^rTO ^rtarroi
tvf] vtff^csi <1 ^c'R t:[f% w WT¥c^ ir^] f¥ to TOto jji ^'tyfir-T <t^i
¥TO ^C'<»7 JTi. =Ti ¥5f<TOi »x^c>r< TOvi ¥TO ^1 ? snfjf 4’Ra c>iTO famine
vszf I m rr$ CTO *t¥i to< Bf.Tr a\t 4TOPr arcT^i to to S. D. O.ir tmTO
tare? , c’l^ v-f^rc»5^ TOt^ TO5 a toi? i ^skz mi (.toc 5 f'p c^tc< TBf=?TOn *;^jt to
f¥ ¥C< Jff'JTO ¥<C^r< TO CvfCT TO TOl cn 4TOni ^[8? a ¥«! ;.;&lvX\ ^T¥)
; c^t 1¥ cTOT 5m v'rs 'ITO <m f¥*T ¥f*jr¥ff mi toc^ i jV« totcto
4 >rTci cro ah TOc^-m cto vc^i ^ i c?i, ta
tatm f%f^ in. ^tar< f^jne^ ¥«ii $rt,T f^fTr (vto im
fVjft in TOm Scv-tti snf^ ta rTO< 5'sj'^m a tar
5»TO?n TOc^ in fi»fiT TOm TO tocv:? to ? ¥fr®t TOnfT 4 ?to
wrttT ^1 reluctant vi? c*rTO cve-m ccir^c^f ’^mcin r
^ TO Civil Supply Department Relief Department 4^1 ¥^41 1 Famine45
^Tfro TOTCV^t Relief Mini8ter4» TOi ta famine cTO
cnmvw \ €ri si c^TOfe? to ^ita ^ vis ^ 8anction to
TO ^ cn trm c'l*)^ crom ^ to cvn 5cv m, fVi trm c*C>^ ^\]\
5t!T4^ taff 5cvt*ni ^vfr^. fvm c^r. tfm b ^ fjj^ cTO5 to
sanction m] vcTO TOf sp\ mtta 5rTO 1 c^ftar in-j« to%* t ^
m TOI. TO mr orotm wfc^ to in T’ fV« to c5. iitw«
(ml TO TO 51 ^ TOl BfCi d'^TOl^l must mfk 5lt 5CVtTOfW ;s^¥ 4fTO
5tl TO WfTOl ¥ff| I
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
211
im]
^ Mr. MURTAZA REZA CHAUOHURY: Mr. Deputy Speaker) Sir,
since the jrreat famine of Government of Bengal started the Depart-
ment of Relief ai^ Rehabilitation attached with the Rt'venue Department
with the main object of giving relief to the suffering masses from bustees
in the towns and cities right up to the corner of villages in Bengal.
Relief and Rehabilitation Department has since been running in a
haphazard way giving a false show of the same, and no substantial ami
constructive works have, however, been taken up. During the last
famine the then ('abinet took up the short-term scheme to tight out this
great havoc. As the department was started in the most abnormal and
unprecedented circumstances their only itlea to run the Relief lX‘i»art*
ment was, as to liow tlio poor people of Bengal could be fed and saved
somehow or otlier in the greatest crisis. H<‘nct‘ the measures taken up
#by tlit‘ (Tovernment at that time wen* not up to the mark t(» gid long-term
coiisi<leratioufi.
Of course, tlie famine is over, but its aftermath and the great killing
of (Calcutta have rather spread «p in a gigantic miuincr giving ris(‘ to
various new problems tnr relief. The last tamim* has mad«‘ the ec<momic
structiiic' of Ilengal totally dilapidated. Four (dasses of pi'opU' ha\»' come
out helpless due to the lamine and its af ter-idferts. 'I'Ih^v can he
classified as (1) poor middle-class, {* 2 ) disjiosscsscMi rural ]»opulution,
(di small artisan.s and wagc-oarmus and (4) or|)hans. destitutes and
(Icsciled children, 'fliese four (dasses form more than So p(‘r cent, of
th*‘ pojmlation of Bengal. It should he the main duty of < ImtUTiment
to r(*habi1i{at(‘ tli(‘s(* people through a pc'rniamuit I)(*)>arlnn‘nt of Helief
and IBdiahilitation in such a way that they can earn Ilnur livtdihnod
(juite easily, tr(M*l\ and comf(Utahly. Hcnc«* tlic mam )Uirpo.se of the
Department oi Helief and Hehahilitat ion would be to belter the economic
life oi Bengal winch ultimately means the rise in the standard of living
of the tH*o]d(‘ of Bengal, Bengal being an agricultural Province, the
bulk majoiitN of the pc(»ple lias to live dinudly and indirectely on
agneiiltiire. .\purt from the agneultural income the majority of the
p(M»pIe has to iias> a good part of a year without any woik although their
lands aie (]uiie insutiicnuil to \ leld incomes to sutisl\ tin* minimum
(hunands ot life and living in modern ag(*s. (lovtu’umenl must make
ininuHliate arrangements for giving industrial training and works in a
largt* scale by which llie people can ac<’rue our (*xtra iinome, Fa(*b and
every section of the p(*o]de — Muslims and non-Muslims —must get
regular fostering care from the State in a iiermuneiit and ])erennia! nu^asure.
But section hd administration hav(* divnhnl the items of relief
work to the various departments in such a way tlial no coriPO-
lidated scheme could he taken up. 'flil.s can la* amply justified wdien it
is ohseiV(*d that ( i(»verninen t ot Bengal has started the Df*V(dopTnent
Dejiartment tnr some jiost-war re(;onstructi<uf works which are mainly
the items of relief. Work centres and minor industrial development
s(‘heme have been uttache<j with tin* InduHtries Ih^partim'iit , small
irrigation and waterways, orphanage scheme lia.s been atlacluul with the
Education Department, and .sj> on and so forth, wh^nuts ollnu' temporary
relief mea.suie.s such as maintaining destitute centre*.. f«*eding the
inmate.s of the destitute centres, running temporary orphanagea,
arrangement for distribution rtf free clothes and blankets and gratuitous
(hdes to the iieed.v were attached ’ with the Relief Dcpartmiuit. It is
due to tlii.s liotcb potch system that the whole work of the constructive
measures of relief is on the verge of failure and the suffering iiiaMHes as
a whole are not getting any sort of relief in a manner which can’ better
their economic life on a sound and permanent basis.
So, the first and fort*most work of the Hoii’ble Minister in charge of
Relief sliould be to see that all items of relief and rehabilitation mu»t
come under the Directorate of Relief and liehabilitation and whatever
212
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[21st Sept.,
worlcH ami lueanurefi are required and necessary the Relief and ReUahiiita-
tion Department should he the only competent authority to deal
with.
Due to famine ihe Province of Ben^^al has produced a very big class
of State liabilities, viz., orphans, destitute boys and girls and unattached
or deserted children. The orphanage scheme i.s under the Education
Department and is controlled by the Special Officer, who was till recently
Mr. llottomley.
Sir, 1 have been asked by the Ilon’ble Minister to speak on some
other occasion and to sit down today. So, I have to obey the order of
the llon’ble Minister and I sit down.
(Mr. Nurazzanian was on his legs and wanted to speak.)
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr. Nurazzanian, I am prepared to allow
every meiiilier to speak. It is not my intention to gag anybody. But I
may tell the honourable members c)f the (iovernment side for their informa-
tion that the ()p]»osition has reduced the number of speakers and the
Government side has not.
Mr. MUDA88IR H088AIN: 1 asked the permission of the Speaker
to speak scviM'al times before this Iloii.se, bui 1 was not allowed. May I
know why?
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Will tin* honourable member kindly sit
down
Pub' lo(.-) says “Of th<* days so allotted, not more than two days
shall be taken up by the Assiunbly for the discussion of any one demand “
I think the interpretation is tiiat it >ou allot two days, you
can discuss a jiarticular demand for two days, but if you have allotted
diflereiit days i(tr difl'ereiit demands, I think you may not disturb the
arrangement l»y invoking the aid of this rule. JSo, I think, the guillotine
proeedure lias got to hv afiphed. That is what 1 find in rule and
unless anyone ean t(*Il me and convinee me that 1 can carry it over 1 would
stick to my intcriirctation.
Mr. A. F. STARK: Mr lXput> Speaker, Sir, 1 do not think that is
the correct position that you liuve got to put the demands that are on
the pa]nM’ <o vote today. On the last day of the Budget wbieb is
ullowiMl tor the Budget demands, \ou must certainly put all the
demands to vote, but so long us another <lay is available, the demand
can be curried forward, it is rub* 15 (d' tlie Assembly (Governor's)
Rules wbieb says that tlie voting of demands for grants shall take place
on sueli days not exceeding seventeen as the Governor exercising bis
individual judgment may allot tor the puipose. 'J'hen it goes on to say,
of tin* days so allotted, not more than two days sliall be taken up by the
Assembly for tiie discussion of any one demand.
Then sub-paragrajdi (4) says, on the lu.^t of the days so allotted, one
hour before the time previously fixed by the Speaker for adjournment
of tfie day, the Speaker shall forthwith put every question necessary to
disjiose of all the outstanding matters in coimeotion with the demands
for grants. I submit that what the rule requires you to do is that on the
last of the days allotted for demands for grants, you must put all the
outstanding questions to vote, ^ but there is no reason w*hy another day
should not l>e allotted for the demand for Extraordinarj* Charges in India.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: In view of what Mr. Stark has said and
after consulting the honourable Chief Whip of the Opposition and the
Hon’bl© Mr. Muhammad Ali, I think we can carry it over. My ruling
ia that we can carry it over.
ADJOURNMEOT.
213
1926 .]
TIM Hon’Me Mr. MUHAMMAD ALI: lu that case, may I request
you to allow Mr. Martuza Reza Chowdhury to continue. He has not
finished his speech. He sat down, but he was the last speaker in possession
of the House. He did not conclude his speech.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: 1 have consulted the Chief Whip of the
Opposition. His party is not willinjj to sit more. So, I do not think
I should continue the sitting of the House anv further. This subject
also stands carried over till some other day to he apn‘ed upon between
the parties. T am told both the Whips have agreed that this part-heard
matter should be taken up on the 2oth. It may be carried over to the
25th and guillotine may b(‘ applied on the last day. There will be no
questions on that day and I think Mr. Martii/.a Heza Chowdhury should
be allowed to speak on that day.
Adjournment.
The House was then adjourned at 1-lS ]).m. till 2 p.m. on Monday, the
23rd September, Odti, at the Assembly Houst‘, Calcutta
^4
[23]U) Sbpt.,
Proeeedinf i of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled under
the provisions of tlif Goverwent of Indin Actf 193S. >
Th£ Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Monday, the
ZSrd September 1946, at 2 p.m.
Prsssnt:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon’ble Mr. Nurul Amin) in the Chair, 7 Hon’ble
MiiiiKterft an<I 181) members.
Msssags.
Secretary read the following message received from the Bengal Legis-
lative Council, namely; —
“lhat the Bengal Legislative Council at its meeting held on the 12th
September, 1946, agreed to the Bengal Motor Spirit Sales Taxa-
tion (Amendment), Bill, 1946, without any amendments.”
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
28— Jails and Convict Settlements.
Mr. SPEAKER. Hon’!l)le Mr. Suhrawardy.
The Hon'bis Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, with your permi'^sion I
shall move this demand. On the recoinmendation ol llis Lxcellencv the
Gover.’ior I beg to move that a sum of IN U)2,l)‘i.()IH) }»e guiritod tor
expenditure* under the head “28 — Jails and Convict Settlements”.
Mr, 8ATINDRA NATH SEN: Sir, I b(‘g to move th.it the demani! of
IN, l,02,9d,000 for expenditure under the head “28 — fails and Conviit
Settlements” be redui’ed by Us. 100. I move this motion with a view to
raise a diseiission about serious ineHiciem*v in aci'ommodation, medical
treatment of tuberculosis and other serious disea.se.s in the Alipore Pre.sidencv
Jail.
Mr. SPEAKER: May I know from the Opposition which motions are
going to be moved under this head?
Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJI: May 1 come over to
you, Sir, to explain that?
Mr. SPEAKER: Yes.
(After a pause during which Mr, Sjieaker had eonsultatiou with Mr. D. N.
Mukherji.)
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Sir. in the list of
cut motions I find that some of the cut motions regarding 39 — Public
Health have found place under 29 — Police.
Mr. KIRAN SANKAR ROY: Those are obvious mistakes. They will
be corrected.
Mr. SPEAKER: I cannot say today Wcause no selection ot the Opp<i8i-
tion*s cut motions has been made yet.
Mr. Sen, there is another motion standing in your nauie. Please move
that motion also.
Mr. SATINDRA NATH SEN: All right, Sir. I beg to move that the
demand of Its. 1,02,93,000 for expenditure under the bead ”28 — Jails and
Convict Settlements” ^ reduced by Rs. 100. I move this motion with a
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
IMSn .
219
titfw to A dwussion about the hard lot of Division III prisoners in
Jails In Bengal in the matter of dress, diet, medical treatment, opportunity
of intellectual add moral improvement ana inopportunities of turning out
of jail after the period of confinement as a better man.
Mr. SPEAKER: There is another cut motion standing in the name of
Mr. Suresh Chandra Das Gupta. Let it be moved also.
Mr. SURESH CHANDRA DAS GUPTA: Sir, I beg to move t^t the
demand of Rs. 1,02,93,000 for expenditure under the head “2H — Jails and
Convict Settlements” be reduced bv Rs. 100. I move this motion with a
view to raise a discussion about the failure of this Oovernmont to stop
human phanU in the jail and to make immediate provision for keeping a
doctor inside the jail in the night as recommended by the Jail Knmury
Committee and to make suitable provi.sion for quartt'rs for married warders.
Speaker jrft ’tvci (Ti 'O'-ft
cn ^00\ <4 9m wsn c*t Oovernmont
'aow ’ttrs ewe^TTS ^ ^ *tTCT^r^ 4^* CWC^r-T ’fCCT 4¥«R
(r=m tjtti 4 »nr« Jail Enquiry Committee f5rc*N
?qTf?-r ^ I 45j: cn jpm wanlor^ 'itsT’n ^
r»^ir -ntB 4 n7/<nT‘j ctb w-Tb? i
Mr. 8ATINDRANATH SEN: Mr. Speaker Sir; ^^8?. di movement w,
'5tC^ arrested riB Presidtuicy Jail 4 ^'5 vJ. 4*^: fl'i =T's»n:B S'B flS’TB I
ceT'B CTJ 7i kef'f TO
medical treatment4‘^ Tto ^CS 5tt i TO ^^'*1, fTO
^«TTF?1 TOi i)? (PJ 9m 4*f "saC^Rl I
(7T TulHTculosis 4^ i!ifi*ctiouH diHcane 'jTt’T’l
accommodation 4<: treatment toi 4^* ni
OT*tTr'^ c»x«tf5 OJ HiisjH'eted, ineipienl 45<l* advanc<*d eaw‘ of T. li. TrtB'i :5TTO UBT
8t*parate CTO <rti 4^ wm-itPi viB*c® 1 '''WTf' 1 ^CV fTO W ’tTO?.
de^dared T. R. vnrn^--^^(j '^Rrmr patieiiTO^ TO *»C^ i CU»T
TOl 4^ wrvm <?TTO Sft'J remote
comer ’P w’grt^ated areacj T. B. patientOf i ^JTTt*T7
tfB’T ^ mpi CTO TO TO jji? to»:t 5 tou'!; to i f*pw 4«m ent
TO8 TTTO I ^ TO political prisonerH 4'>: non-polilieal prisonetHCf?
TOtvi T?n rCTO I fVl 3TO TOTOB TC"Trpj ■?frCB TOTPS ^ iJ’f I
Political prisonersc^ TO CJ TO'P (^351 crfc^i (7i incipient, sukjmtUmI 4^t
advanc(^d cases of T. B, 4^? vzit TO i Ordinary prisonerB TOi bronchial
troubhwj TOi 3 <?rfr room4'tTc^i TO (TT^ rrx>m4 CTO advancAul caBcs
(TT’sfii "TO ordinary patients TOi TOi 4V? qtsTOTrs TO i 'iTOT <7t infection
catch WW5 'TO I TO'fi ordinary patients <?i 4TTO (BTOt
FCTO treatmentB^ TO BtcTO ; TOC^i w rtTOi TO, ^ CSh
TO political prisonersc^B tot ’TT^i ; ^3 TOrv
TO TOT 9tTOl TO I Ttf*J^TO TOTTTO ’ <71<TO
Tf TO iftJ fro TO I 9^ tB (Tl’TO fro inri to to 9t9\ f^fr^ro
TOT C5^T TO^ 4^ ’OTOT «tCTO TOT3 TTO I -3 TOf^ TOB CFfC«B TfTO ; Ttfar '5TO
CTOB TBTOTO f^, Ttfq mz^ TOTST^ CTOff I toTkTO CW Ttfir Tiff
TOt TO? TO I fri CTO TOTT? rsrPt I roTO (?BTO fV^f^ T. B.
cni^, TOMfro fro ^ ^trot i w offioerwro ccot toi, Medical Colleger
m
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
[23ep Sept.,
mi I declare advanced case of T. B. i 4^ Medical College4
cvM mn ^ ^ v'r^n cwjt vfmrciri c’rtfc^
CS 1 c¥R 'cmn ?t4i arm i m»\ c^rcsn, w mi
Government permission ?iHi «mr I ^
mw (Reirf? VRT I C5^i m, ^ vf«mi to ’TTOi tv \ 4? Medical
CoUege4 CTO toti cvfc^ ^n, cro? cro toti 4V^ T. B. cTOm
cw^ T cfpyn 4^ wm or, m fii¥m (7f ‘rto %t, c«i tnrTOR fiR ^ c?«^n
4 ^; TOTRj (Ti T. B. cases ^fcv? yfcw 4^ new ?c®i i 4t cn ca8e4n wnr
*rf^ cw? '®nfn TO vf? 4n^ TOfn ninn 4 ^ cn, nrryi cro m to^ 4 ^“
’SfT nnn cTO^i TOrr? to ^rcf i litvnTO 45rt5 lungs operation TO paralyse
TO OT'Qjn TOCf 4n^ cn^R nwR cn c<c^ ■ 2 ?Tc^ 4^^ ^TOR n^ TO TO cTO cn 4^ TO
•rtffl TO^ nn^rft i
enn TO TO 4 s15 ^ cTOe cn^ TO*»fmcnn to cnTOn to i s’pf^ robust
conHtitution4n cro ntor ^ wn? cnenfs ; to 4n; toto i
fw|f?n HO! cv4i m TO wasting desease f^i enm c^R nnn c^R
to m I ® 1 TO fVf TO, TOTO cwR TOi cnt. Si:?e'>H cwr toi (R? t nrm
^▼5 wm TO ^] I TO fsn TO TO^ns Rr-i 51^1
m, cn^ ewen cn to^ fefv^TO nmn ^fc!? m ^f%f^ cvR nr^vi cvrr^i *11 1 rto
to TO TO c^, TO TO? n? m nrcB?, cn m 5^75 ntc-f ^ri. ff? c-fR
ntow troatrnent4? Medical Colloge 4 n cvR nRV? eyre'll ^i i Ri‘ wordij ^trw
TOj ortrwi, wf^eif to im to TO^n 'CTO^n crrc^i 4%*- *4?^'^ Medical
College4 OTfcni i TO to cvrmi R advanced ease ef '1'. B. 1 fr'S case
WfifJ? m hoptdesa cvfc^ TO cnR nKTl CVf'Rl ni i 5fR' r.vfc^ri Presidency
jail4^ cn TO'lf^itirn cnntR cn cvR tori 5tk?i •'Irtoi^ toti
ntfr, a<lvano<Kl ease, sU8p<?cted case, incipient case of T B , Astlirna ease, bronchial
case, 4W WRTO TOmi TO wn’ incipient case -R* rcfl TOi ^ (3?i n^-T
WTO *RJT m c'>R TOn’j;c^ cnnriR to ninvi vcni 1 ennre^ toi n?aii 3 4 t^ mw cvicni
cn TO ^i cw even 1 t^twi n^ic^ wn^rtRi wiiro (Jovenunont cfcw cvhri cn cronr
cnew TOfi of 341 4c-^, ven cTOfi f^toni m ni 1 <ni c?rcni cn, csrtor^ w4Rtr
wenos fifr T. B. 4 CTO, fMV'^TO 'nf^'S ctotor, to n^-t' vsto 44;
medical recommendation 44 againsto TOW ton TOR c»5t vR'^^tR *fT^ni
CVtcni I Medical adviw cnntR to R, TO4^C4 treat ment44 TOw CWR
4W^ TO ^nrrW4 WRTO^, 5 ^ ^rstcnc^'. bolter surrounding4 4Tnc^ 5X4 1 TO4TO
cm TO4 4TC4 remind W4^^ srt'.fr^i 1 Col. Patni fifi? TO TO
cn patientew TO'<^rT4 specialists^ c^ recommendation TO^TOt TOr cwR
WfTTWR TtR 41 sanatorium 4 CffW I TO4 TO 4R R^T C-JR fw« C4FR 4W4
nmi cnfcni ni I TOTO4 C4 critical condition fnc4 cn toto» 4W^ lungs
'®T4 Rn toTOP, 4Wt^ luogS 4 5RtO$ V4, ^StT® CWtTO f^^4 *fTWl Wfe TOl nVT W4X3
TO nlR 4C¥TO? half-reduced VC4 1 to 6 TOf TO4e cn? Medical officer,
TO4^|X44 officer 4f4 TO recommend WRTO, to cw5 TOW TOTiR wi i 44 wm
frft CW ? 4t 4W4 4T4n CWCTO to54 I 4T^C4 4<R TOWtSm V4, TWI C4 4tVf<W 4WW4 Lt.
Col., I. M. S. officer, tot ^tlRTO Superintendent ; 44^ Medical College
CFlCf w rs^-vm ?nr specialist wren, 4^ wwn 45 w? wnt o 1 to TOn ^wrsrnl
tlm wftnn wfvtfri fw i wtfn wciwf nti case ewTOrtn, cvjr wf^ wro 'ew, enw,
•P5% I to wirm wmw case wtcf 1 fjcTOt toro fto tot 4wf nf TO eye trouble
Tf'm f cnTOn cro or? wfi to wwcwi to wci nltwr wirro 1 Dr. Saiyi^ in
DEMAND FOR GRANTS,
!§«•]
317
Medical Colleger? Speoialist, ^ ^ recommend WVCS 01,
immediately ^7 operation ti TO 4f cm 7fC7, serious brain trouble
TO I 50 m fV C7t7 W 4¥ Tff m wait W5
?r*C*n I Recommendation 7 ’sT TO operational ?’c5^^ condition mt*t TO CTO
TOtUCTOl 71 1
Pox47 01 arrangement C7 TO^ Tto?, TO5 fiegregation4T CTO TOT1
7 t^ I Presidency jailii7 TO’msrcT? TO*;ti ik)x ward, C7TO
tfTO cTO segregation 7i, 1 ^»t*T cTOC7 warder
place 7f71 77 1 ^ 7C7. ^^71 71371 TO 7ltC7 TO TO I TO C7 TO-
flftrs 775 infectious disease spread TO i TOTi ii R7C7 suggestion froffTO
infectious disease ward toi i 777 TO^i TOlf tftTO ^377
T5t7l 7TO fV T. B. {mtientc^ OT? TOTC77 foiPT 71771 T7C7. TO Pox patientC77'Q
CT^TTO ^T771 T7C7, 37 3 C7? patientc^^ TO71 7t3T7 ^37T7 7r5f771
r’r^i I Ordinary prisoiierscw^ C7‘f7 dieti37 71771 oit, f7f1?i TOU
political!:^ 5F7T I ^1771 auggostion f»x7f^Rt7 ct c»r«T7 remoter conierii 477
71771 77 C7 TOTO paticntoi ?7 5T7. ^tCil TT^m ^ItC^. 1 f^l
713: 3 lti :7 47^1 Eur<)])ean oflicer Duke 7ri . 77CS7 C7
qi' zjrf 7 ffTf7 71 CT7 TOP;7 471^:7 7r»r^:7 I f7’s ^Tr7 blR Pn'sidency
C7n:^3 I. M. S., Lt. Col. 77 7Ti:t7 1 3^1 -i 5 ^771 cTOr^
TOrn: ‘^tc^ ’^r7 3T7C3 *7tf7 711 toto Lt. (’<»!. Patni !JC7r?7 ; Csfk wc77
<^71731 TOC^'7, fV^ orm 7)771 rfffi TOi?f ‘7717 1 T. B‘7 ^71 Pox!i7 TOT, general
di 8 eas 4 .‘s 47 77t C7r7 7 r 77 i c*ft i 7T771 71 7T7T7 sf*n c77Tr7 f77?w77 TOTO })aticntin
7C7C^' I
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA: :rt=nn« nsMfe cwc*w >nM ^ITS
CTO TvfT? nr, 77 7vfl 777T7 777 CT^? I Tf.TO CWC7 '77:71 ClTW TOtVS;
TO TO!?. TTTlf'^l'T^' TOnri 7TO 7T}7 71*717 47F^1 f77l1^ TO 7"17 I CWC77 TOC77 :»tl^ 4^
TO T^ew'^r Tfp^ VT3 71:717 0*77 7TO 7f% VCB® 71 I 7TO 777 ^ CTO '*r57rC7 CTCU CFTtW
377 TO7 TO 7177 707 '47r 7'71 511 71. 3tC7 7C7 TOl C7 C7 47^1^ ’ll 1 47^ CUC1T4 47TO
CTOTO f^l71 *^71 C7 CTOtCT? 7^7) 47: StTO'l 7TO rC7 I TOrC77 TOTITO’*
C7 ‘the jailor must Ikj a fox and a w’olf ’ btTO 7C77 f3f7 C7TO77 737 471 7117 TO7
CT^b 73 I 7l:TO C7r7 47f C7»C^ 47»fB T^CT^ TOIC^ fTTSlTIl -707^1-7, “TO 77C3 TO77,
warderc77 to TO Tror^tcro to Pf 7*7’^ i" fvsJlii 77 <to “4^7i C7f7
fwTOi 7 TOt“ C7 77C7, “TOTi 777 warderc^7 iPr ‘7171’ 377 wardor7i
^T7t C 77 fro TOT ‘iMl’, 4? C7 ‘7171 ’ TO ‘7T7f’7 C7 Pf 7*^7 57 31 ^1771 ’flR 71 I
4t C7 TO TTO 4C^ TO 7171 ?7 I TO 4’r?I 71771 C«^OT 31177 to 7lf7 ^r7t7, C3^
717 ¥717 TOT I TO71 TfifTTO CTO 9C7 4C7f5 C7 7^75 TtPl ^iCT I C»C7 CTOI C77TO 7TO
to 7lf7 mtCTl 77 71, 7lf7 miC71 57 7n[7r¥ to I CTt 71J7 t[P5f77 C7d? C7d» C7 C3¥ 7f7
TO 3T7 TOT7T 4¥fr ¥17 311:77 5 l SO T7 r337 7Vi:7 TOT C7371 77 I C7 'ifTTtI 43 TlTPU C7
Cft7 CTO 7f^ TUn^ Tfro TOa 31C^ 7¥17 ¥3 C3^ 7r71?[3 77 71 I
>11131 471 tiTtdt medical HCUTO TO^ Slr«T7 to C¥7 “TOIT' cr^O tos 77 l CTOTOIT
CTO Jailor41 cut TI!?, warder47 CW7 TI^, C37f7 C3C77 C7 fwtt “TTO' 310 C771H¥17
3l t 37¥ r j)C3 C7C7 71 1 71171 (TO ¥7l C7 CTO TO to 71^7 ; CWW7T7 ¥C7^71 C37
TO TNTtf CTO ^71 *117 71 I 7TO 4¥f^ 7f77TC7 43^ ▼CW ¥7C77 C37, C7 C37 3171^
CTO 717 TOCf, 3fC77 7TC3 to CfOH 77, 71 to TO1C77 CTTlf CTO 7lC¥ W17 WlCl 1^70
7Jl|^ C37 3!C77 ^CTfl 71, ci||^ C3W TOf C70il «7, 7TO7 4¥f77 TO IffCTf TO 7f77tf
218
DEMAND FOE GRANTS.
[23rd Sept.,
to; to? to TOi fin Cl TOT1 ^ crw oftr^n ^ i
TO « TO !pr TO ^tmfirjrofiFTOTi TOTT* Jail Enquiry Committee TOfifncf
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ?firTO^ TO JJ¥| TO TO ;»t?l TOTO TO,
toTO To ; fiFi TOf«R TOnr 5^^* TO, TOfw TO ^ ^ TO OT c^v5 n 1
fl m\ fVf # 9 ] TO I ? CTO CfR CWC3T CfC^fff »T^ TO^Cnr CTO
mi TO CTO STO^t fVf CT 3 T 1 nfir, to to n ci cto 1 toto toi if?
fira n TO n tof cro^t^ fros to i cto crc^ ct^to c^TOti to m
warder TO, firi c*tiTTO ^ITO TO ? vrf^i sr^t icrmr ’tto f¥ toci^, ^tn
^nfirs wtcp Aasemblycs #rT> 11 fir toctt i TOtfroi «rfi!|m ’ti cTO ’rsl^
IW ▼IT® 'MtCI f ^091 ^flT^ ?ii IlIfHlI Cl 3TC5 "ff^l '^HTS
TOi, fin TO TOi c^^^T^ fir^ti irro c^\my jtto cisti ’ffitfi ?fci viir^r toti
• tCi If’a TOfi ^ frfi TOlini TO ’ff%!pr TO 3 TO. TO '^TflR warder iin
iron cwifi ciNT^t^ fiftc^ <TOi,--TOr< ^rci toci i c«rc^ c^r^^ ctott^ to ’r
ftn ICTO J5TO I»n H I fin CTOI library^ ci fi^ TOTI ^Ri cwc^ ^ feTO
^Rl ^ WTO Wi I wffi. fir^ TO Presidency Jailij 500s, Central CTO
bOOs, District Jail ufirc^ 600s cwr^ mii itz l?TWt wci
W<K im cnj ^ll/o ^ CW5RR TRTl WtC^ I 4^ 4^ CWC^T WI TOF 0001 OGO C=TT^ ‘^tCW 41^
STCff n^jRR TO imi TO ?CIC^ Cl ^ IR C^ \U/0 TO I ^TO TO 75 C5 IwfiTWl
crwi n I fincR to 4ww^ icto wr itort^r 4 w«r irci^f 5R
WWfiR I \TOTOI to fifi([ IR fi,fi ^aRrc<5 (Rltw^l W!R fro I7t1I
m it 4''f^ iirtoTTcsi ic^ TORI fin itcw ittiTtn tort, fifi ficro toic'R
iRi cTOrw fiffif^ TO to ^TOif <?rt ^to c^tm c^rc^ to 4 ^ crr^c^ iri tor
cwR cbti TOR 5n n (R toU’I n ^fiiR irti w?i n sti i
WTO TO 4Wtl fwfiR,--CTOR TOT’tTTOR IRWl I »r^ IT^ CIR Rl’tfiR It’TO CWC^
cwcw wTftcffciH, fijfir >rTO cwcwt 7PTTOtr«T< wn ito 5 nrcfin wffi to fi:w<
im iTOs TOcn 5 T 1 1 fin cw?r n^rcs 4 w]?i 19 fi’R wrc^ . ir itto tsri
R^n TO TO. nrirfiR itfij i<r cwc^a ^ir to wTO h itcf. ifi c^r fircn
WWI n, TO CWCTO 5TWRCW WtStfif TOCS (R fir 7R-Tt't 7C3 71 31 ^RTl JT^TC^ TO^^T! WtCiS
TO jq I TOtoi TOR f33i C5 mate TOW cr ifi cTO ci wmi rcio? crt ^Ttcn
iiarder cw ‘toi’ ‘TOi’ to i^<^wr wits itto: snrs WR i'I?i TO^ 4 TOR warder
^•tfirs TO ITO 'CWTOW CTO?” C^ fTO, “TOl 4 WTO TCTO l” (7f warder ITO ‘Vs
TO cTO r Cl TO frorcs fircTOu wirrcw to cto, torr wrr irtr^ toi tow toi
TO CTO I OaUR ward 4 iRi ^firci wtn? 3TO 4 WTOrw TOci cicRi crowi
cwar WTOff TOTR I WW CIIR dCW CTO 41R «RWI ^CW CWC^R TO FWC3 |Wr5 CTOf*>I
WWfl TOW TO CTO 7CI wm I CTORT Jail Enquiry Committee TOW fro TO-
Cfl Cl 4WWI CWW TOTCTO irfjTTJ CWC^R ICII CWRI3 IRH Cl TO fin TOt 4^ ^*ffT3
ICT5 TORI
CWTORR TORI WM3 CTO5 (R 311 71 fw IWI ? WCitol ITO CTO TO Ito IR WRRRl
cicTOfi I fin TOTO CTO 13 4t malarial cTO wfcw3 cisn n n i
ciTifi cwcTO wnrftn iRi itfir to TOijniRi fici tori prfificw toto. R ciRir5 ifi in
TO^frn iR I 4t ^:ci toii to? TO i i5R^:i 3tc«ri ci iii nsii nan cisii n wffi cictfif
nr ci«ii 71 >®W7 well ^jwilti irwcws srwrci in ti i <Rnfi ci ;§f?R 7m
f^fici nfi wn IR n I wrr tow if?i wrfi, wrr ^vs fin nr, wrr srtrs iicwi «ff3
fic?3 TO CFTOl IR n 31 7CI^ TOTfl «Wsf WIT 71 1 fiPTR WCI CTOtfi '>^80 TO 7IW
TOi Rd xoa,7wa wi wcift fiw i m tstt to i 4 ir toi m nrw tTO
1046.] . DEMAND FOE GRANTS. m
ixo^,ooOs 1 TO>! CT^fi ftf 11^ ffcf 505s Iffi #ci I ^ ^ m
^«c«f wsTtff^ *tr5 50s ^ I %5f fn. fttfi fro f% ^ftw w, 'Wini
an «¥Pr^ *f!OTi I
fwfli wtm ^ TO 4iir
CTOT CTOff ▼Cf^twr ’ttiTOl i^fH, V»T-C^tCCT TO TOf C^TTO CTOF ^0 TO
(At this stage member having reached the time-limit re8ume4 his seat.)
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Mr Speaker. Sir.
<w«r«rTO ’TtTO »nrr4 to tf^ tto
TO TO ^ TOfT I TO TO CTOTff »r*fC^ TOTfRI ¥TO1 I
^•■m CTO r'nrr^ ^cto^? tcto to wIr i ctff^oF^ ^
TOmr CTO TO1 tr^rro i r^frR *fffTOir cto isef
IR I ’Ttctiw \% !rtjl» TO
YTOt^> ‘fc^ tofs ^
^^rfiT^ iTk-ira ^ cTO TOC^ to '^tfe'vS TOfe^ W9\ i ^mn to %R Parlia-
mentary Secretary <ftsTOi =T>nPRf7 ’TTCR s cv^r Inspector General i Presidency
Jail to to^T ^?it8R c«rc^ TO<i to, fH a (?rc^ TO, vrrti
TO, cTOi. 'SPn, r’TR, TO R-sTO toi cwsi ifTHTfl fertoi
5Tf^<B ^rro ^1 to to cw ri?*f toi 0f5>^ti r ^ jftoi to
cwwth ^c<rTt I to’i toi TO c^ torr^F ^rrw sn^tr^ TO’t
Q5Tl*Pr ?TI I
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to‘l ^TO, 4<‘ ’)rr<i ^rc^rr to TOc< i 4 ^'r '•tTri jni i
CSR f^otc'^ns Inhpector General 49 ’Tcv ^tCHfb"^! VC9 ¥nrft9i cflt*f
(to ton TO CTO C^'TW TO 9TTO CTO C7T? I CWSf cTO C9%fl ^tTO TO fW
TOt9 ^rff^jto -TO TRi fV^ to ores to ^ i 4 ^rrm nto^r to j c*i »rprmT
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ni ▼ tHC^ t TO STO ^^57Tf» to9 91:91 WtC^tRI TOCf 1 CWPT totm Wllll 99C*19 CWPT CWW
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^ I TO^lfn c 9 >^t (7»9 Im (to (to to « CivU Supply tow wm
nlw W t^C f?. ^tt*fi 4toY WTWi TOT^pW to I
220
DEtfANB FOE (iEA‘l^TS. [23 rd Sept.,
Mr. MOVAIH^^HAIIORA LAHIRY; Mr. Speaker, Sir, cm mf c^r^rWir
Iff I 5Tr5 ¥W cm, W! TI fI? CWC^ f^fCTTCY C^
cmm\ cmf cm ^ cro i ^ c^v^ ?rfn ct cftotj T?n?r c^ ^
(TT^ftC^ ''TOR CFtTC’f? CFOT CFt? I ^C^iC4t Ff? I
TOF C^ CW^r^fRtiJ C^<f ^ B§ TO, (7!Qf^3 OTI I Warder wmVf,
jailor, deputy jailor 'TO? to Superintendent I. G. ^TTO
i ni I tTgfr •il^ FT^T I f^TOl FC^ CF^I I CTO
W CFtiTF, cer^TTO?! ^ health examination ^TOR
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(a voice from the Treasury benches : “1 eannol uiKhTstanfl this”) (3^
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IRR5 rTO^ RTR'flfTO I Cpfro fro RRTO CTO/PTRPI ¥CRR R1 I TO*tCR CRRtCR Rjyc s T ftRH
TOtl TOTCW tTO» FIR tro PTRTOTO RTTO TO TOTR Rl PcTO discharge Pro ; TOff
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DEMAND FOE OBANTS.
221
1 « 46 .]
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TO^ TOtm RtR tltttTBR TO ’TC^ iiVs ^ V^TTO I
Mr. ABDUL HAMID: TO^ TOtv 4 , cv^rrot^ Tru fsrci; to TOif
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[23bi>
222 > OEi^D FOB OptANTp.
few, 4 frfn ’nwfir fwcww 4 wwf r wfr wi w ^ wcw 9cw c«i wfj?
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The Hon’blf Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: It is difficult for me, Sir,
to conatribute anything very substantial to the debate in the presence of
80 many authorities on Jail administration who adorn the benches opposite.
I should try, however, to meet some of the points which have been raised
not in the spirit of opoosition, ibut in the hope that some improvements
may be niade in jail aaministrations. It cannot be denied, Sir, ^hat tlie
jail administrations in Bengal are not such as are to be founcl in sjch
advanced countries as United States of America or England. But then
theie the expenditure is considerable and the amount that wt v^ill have to
incur here to bring up our jails to that standard will be be}ond the resources
of this Trovince, Nevertheless, within the limits of the funds available
many measures have been introduced in recent years for. the improvement
of jails and for improving the lot of the prisoners confined to them. I need
not deal with them here, because they do not appear to be wanted. 1 wish,
however, to make certain general remarks on the motions which have been
moved by htmourable members. Sir, there has been a demand in some
quarters for the revision of Jail Code Rules. Govermiciit vill apjmeciute
it' memheis of the Legislative Assembly will make any specific suggestions
with regard to the amendment of the Jail Code Rules and we shall give
our utmost attention to it. All the honourable members know that there
are non-official visitors who are appointed for each jail and it is hoped that
they will look after conditions there and try to remedy defects. One
honourable mem^r op^sitl has suggested that those who liave got
experience of jails should be nominated as non-official visitors. Sir, I
propose to give utmost consideration to that suggestion and I hope that
honourable members in the co-operative spirit in which they have offered
the suggestion w’ill be able to become visitors of such jails as they have had
ex(>erience of. *
In the matter of industrial training, one of the “policies of this Govern-
iment is to introduce industrial training on a xery large scale within the
jails and it is a matter, Sir, which we propose to take up in right earnest.
I am sorr^,^ Sir, that we have not been able to provide mosquito curtains
for all the jail inmates. I^at would be pretty nearly impossible under
tbs present conditions, particularly when we anticipate that a very large
223
'*^'1
li^.] demand for grants.
oimber of persons will also be goi^ inside the jail Verv stniu. Rut I
paa^d orders to make an experiment with 1).D.T. * in the jails. It is
obvious that when- there are mosquitoes outside in the I'rovine'e and thoae
wbo are not in the jail are attacked by mosquitoes, then those within the
jails ^jrill also be attacked by mosquitoes. As we (‘annot suijply sufficient
p.D.l. fyr the whole Provime, I think we can htait exptTinnuiting with
jails, and we have passed orders accordingly some cimsiderable time ago,
but, Sir, it ha.s not been possible to get an adequate amount (d D.D.T, tor
the purpose. I hoj>e ,atter that experiment is made the lot of tihe jail
inmates will be considerably better.
Sir, reference has been made to religious and im»ral teacbiug and
literary education in jails. That has always been an imp(»rtant problem
of jail administration, namely, to strike a balance between comforts and
moral training and deterrents. If we make it too light for the inmates of
the jails, then there will be no deterrent imadved in going insi(b‘ the jails.
Moral and religious teachings are being dispeiiM'd within the jails but T
agree that the amount of training that is given is prett> casual and (he
position should be improved. Literary education is given to ad(des<*eni
prisoners and to suitable adult prisimers in several jails ami 1 have been
informed that it is quite substantial and that w-ell-liehaved eouviet
piisoners are i»ennitted to sit foi ( nnersilN examiuation> and facilities aie
giv«*n to them foi their stu(Ii<•^.
Sii, 1 niNself w■a^ one of the non-oflieial visitors of jails and 1 did liave
8(>me suspicion legarding the diet shown to non-oHicial vi'^itors and the di(‘t
given to jirisoncrs, because actually the diet shown to non-otlicial visitors
W’as of such a high standard that I was most surprise.! at the exeelleid fare
given hy (lovemment t(» its jail inmat(‘s. Sir, the position is not so lba<l us
some honourable memlnu’s have attempted to make out and I think that the
answer will he lound in the results. The figures for KMb whieh were
supplied to me — 1 am told the\ were very earefully examined and J have no
reasrm t<» doulit their conectness indicate the result up till th(‘ end of the
year, (bit of d2r2SiS piisoiieis the weight of 12,tM() was stationary,
prisoners gained in weight whereas only 5,989 prisoners lost iii weight.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Do you know how those
weights are taken?
The Hon’ble MK H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: I am just telling >ou from
information that 1 ^ave on record and I suppose if thcic is any delect with
regard to the taking of weights which you may cull technical weights, I
hope some of my friends on the other side, when they become non-official
visitors, will be able to correct the weight and bring tht^ administration of
jails to a proper standard. I must say that when I wafi a nun-i>fficial
visitor I took up the question of ghanis with tlie Jails l)»*partinent in the
hope that the use of ghanis by men would he stopped. But the fact is that
it has nOft yet beeii stopped. The answer just given is that in each ghmii
vou have two or three persons who are at work, and one or two more are
k^t as reserve until they relieve them and takf up the work. From them
not more than ten seers are requfr^d for tlie whole day and the work is not
so stupendous as it would anpear to outsiders. Cerininly men of, labour
pulling rickshaws for twelve hours in the day in the heat of the sun when
you see them dropping sweats and men of labour drawing hand-carts laden
with merchandise nav® to do much harder work. Men of labour involved,
in the f^hnni in the jails have not to work so much as those free men who draw
rickshaws and hand-carts in order to earn their living. Moreover, it is
not every one who is put to the ghani. It is only able-bodied men who arc
convicted of hard labour and who are un-amenable that are put on gfianu.
However, this is a matter which I shall lorik into once more but I can m^e
no promise that the system will be abolished. The advantages and dis-
advantages will have to be weighed and there should medical opinion taken
on this quesiion !>efore we decide one way or the other.
15
DEMAND EOB QBANT8.
[23bd Sept.^
Now, Sir, I feel that the actual situation is that everybody is anxious
to improve the jail conditions and to relieve to some extent the lot of the
culprit, though not to the extent of making it a comfortable place to live
in. Today a lot of improvement of the condition of the prisoners has been
done and is being done, and so far as we are concerned we propose to
concentrate on industrial labour and on relieving the convicts of the
mosquito trouble. 1 am rather keen on that, Sir. I have .seen large
mosquitoes hovering tlie dormitories of the poor convic^ts and I wonder how
they have been able to bear it up. This is a matter which T took up since
I {‘ame into office and I hope we shall he able to .show some substantial
benefit to the culprits.
The motion of Mr. Satindra Nath Sen that tlie demand of Rs. l,02,9'h(X)0
for expenditure under the head “28 — Jails and Convict Settlements” be
reduced by Rs. 100, was then pul and lost.
The motion of Mr. Satindra Nath Sen that the demand of R.s. 1 ,02,9-i,(KX>
for expenditure under the head ‘‘28 — Jails and Convict Settlements” be
reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and l(>st.
The motion of Mr. Suresh Chandra Das (jupta that the demand of
Rs. L02,9<{,(M)0 for expenditure under the head “28 — Jails and Convict
Settlements” be reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
The main demand of the Hon’hle Mr. II. S. Suhrawardy that a sum of
Rs. 1,02,98,000 be granted for expenditure under tlie head “28 — Jails and
Convict Settlements^' was then put and agreed to.
2^Polic«.
TKi Hoil*bl0 Mfi Ht $• SUHRAWARDY; Sir, on the recommendalion
of His Excellency the Governor 1 beg to move that a sum of Rs. 8,4 ),St) (KlO
be granted for expenditure under head ‘‘29 — Police”.
Dr. PROTAP CHANDRA CUHA ROY: Sir, 1 beg to move that the
demand of Rs. 8,4r),8(),(M)0 for expenditure under the head ”29 — Police”
l)e reduced hy Rs. 100. The reason for my moving this motion is to raise
a (liscnssimi about policy and grievaiK'es.
I also beg to move that the demand of Rs. 8,45, 80, (MM) tor expenditure
under the head ”29 — Police” he redneed by Rs. 100. The reason for my
moving (his motion is to raise a discussion about policy and grievances
about the management.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAJUMDAR: Sir, I beg to move that the
demand ot Rs. 8, 45. 80, (MM) for exjieiiditure umh^i the head “29 — I^olice”
be reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for my moving this motion is to raise
a discuiMsioii about the siijipression of (‘oroner’s in(|uest in respect of dead
bodies picked up in Calcutta during disturbances in November, 1945, and
February, 1940, and failure of (ioveruineiit to take action against culprits
in connection with the findings of Coroner reganling death of Raineswar
Banerji,
Mr. GANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE: Sir, 1 beg to
move that the demand of Rs. 8,45, 80, (KM) for ex|)enditure under the head
”29~Police ’ be reduced by Rs. 1(K). The reason for niy moving this
motion is to raise a discussion about failure of the Police in combating wiUt
train dacoities, riverine daciuties and other dacoities and goondaism that
bad increased in different parts of 'Eastern Bengal.
Mr. RAMHARI ROY; Sir, I beg wove that the demand of
R». 3,45 ,vS6, 000 for expenditnre under the head **29-~Poiic€" be reduood
by Rs. 1(K). ^ The reason for my moving this motion is to .raise a disousaion
about the failure of the Government to institute public enquiries into the
conduct of those police officers and subordinates who transgresaed their
noweife‘in their dealings with the people during the Augaat movement of
1942 and to mete out suitable punishments to ,.ihem.
225
1946 ] DEMAND FOR QRANTS.
Mr* MANORANJAN ^DHARs Sir, J bt»g to move that the deuianrl of
R». .S,45,86,(KK) for expenditure under the head *3— l*oiiee” be reduced
by Rh. 100. The reason for niy moving this motion is to raise a discussion
about failure ()f tlie Police udmini.Ntration to stop various acts of robberies
and hooliganism and other crimes committed against tJie travellers in
Mymensin^h-Bhairabbazar and Mymensingh-Dacca Railways (Bengal and
Assam Railway) and in the pla<‘es adjoining thereto, and such like crimes
in other places in Bengal.
Dr. PRATAP CHANDRA GUHA ROY: Mr. Speaker, Sir, ’jfiot
ii’j 5Tf (71 limited timc-ii i 'apiW
tf't^ 511, rm, i ufQim
^*1 ^ Ti TT^ I c^<itrsT
0 yrsTvf?! ^ .iiik>h i ^ rrj* ho (Tfnrcvfl S'Ia
s «r5TT5r-? 3rc? a i fki (Jovoru.
ment ^ ^f%*rrv support 4cn iistip ir^TTMi
^ ^ I arrest to protracted trial 'irpiPi ton u
^ ’r5i[ i?Pn 5 3itN TO ^<fT 5tV C»T? withdraw to (7t5 I ijN^N
5C3 ^rPTN tf^T »NtT?>inRl
TOTN GTtot'jn =n TON rrro : ^fip’vi 5C5f®. fVi
3«rtfM TO^N ftij ’NtCTO^l ^<n tot 4it
TON (N nmi TOR (^TON ?1 ti^N Tto ) €N1 TO^iN
vbt^otrv? TORI TON 5N (Tf^^r TO-T TOR »TtifrJor duty
5C?n 5*1 Trf^ STO SlTO R1 I TO1-5WNI. 5NTO 5fr^ CTO^I XNI TOCN
TO5NI 5Jt I i]^1 5N5T1 C^fr^ '^TO 5TO^ STOtwCR ^5 5C5 5N I TON TO1
ijTOl MJ) 5N5n TO-? 5*^’:^ ^f%-f (7T5fJTTO 5frf3 f*Ng51 TTf^sit^fNf anOHt TO,
fiT’Fp vrz 5^ t?NT 5 TO 'iTT^TO ’jf^C'N m CR I 55-1 final
charge sheet f’.‘'55N ^N^Tl 5C^1 iR C«'5l CTO C5 ^c^'t U1
TON 5C5 CTO I (TON ^if*- TOU NNN TOfu Sfit n’h Tto 5N oHI •ffitN TO
ffn:i; to , nn^-i ^rciN cTOR ^^t>N ’jfNi -jc^ ^ircR 35 nc4 c‘< 5-^* ftw^ to
TO TO CTON5 ttttTTO NTf TC’fl 5N TOrft 9iT^;nr <r.i ;,x.7 ^r-C'i WtC4 I ’iflTO
TO 5t*fN"r C^PF il5:TTO5 ^Pshri 5C5 C<i NRcIA TO TO1 VCN ‘iJN
(Ncs 5NT !N I TON< political poitioii of <lufy Rsu 'uNfftc^ 5t;^N ’r®
yoiingliicn ^TOR ’NMC’J CNC'4 ^fCR (IrIn*! iflCN ZWf 5C5 fTOt
r^cn 5fCR TO 5^5 politic'al convict fs-JiTO CWCTO 5Ni i TOR fjolitical
duty. 5TOrt TO^ ^fNCTO Tf^TN^ft 5fk N^TTCTOl «rCR TOC’?! C>f^Z TO;i ^
*it Police department, public servictM^ TO '*rr«tr ^TjrtTO 5TTOf i C5^C5 55 u
TOTl TOl TO CTO*51 5f5 TOf^TO TONTRI R1 5N TOCN NTr5 ff-pT 5rr5 !fT^
5TM ft5rN 5NrR C5 #Nr C¥T5t^( ^ CVt^tQ ’jfirrTO cTO 5/U5 5CV NffffFS
?mfN)
^NTO ^jfilTO C5 Cb5Nl ^5PN? ^ST^PTO 5C¥1 S*1f CR5fs proc^oftsion 55 555,
C5 cwNt ▼•NFtTO RfN 555 CR5f®, C5? ctsvNi CRJN TO wfw flt? Budget grant support
TOtf TO»f 5^TO ^TOt5 5f5C51 C5 Jit 5^5 TO, WTON', #tcTO »5CV 4?TO5 fwYtl 5f5t
Sfro 51 5itTONi ^c5Ri ¥1155 1 Tn^pf 55'¥ fvTO •fr%5 finnn?, <i‘k55 5tfnrui
▼r5ry. ^tro 5fN^ ycro. 'nfw^ cvn trr5 cro fkw 51 555515 tfcii^cro 555 (^ cro
Police Offioerr^ TOd^, ijRj Officered telephone Ntfk 5f5N TOfi, 5«5N mKJue> 557
1 J^ 0fficer45 wm C5t5 Ntftcilf, 55 555 ^ C5C5f| C5 TOfCTO OrdoT C5Y, WNfl C5tC
TOnNI 51, N55! 455^fC5 5r5F5T <8NT5 5t5t5Tf5 Ito tdephone CfCtf fttltf C5 <5 «t5|
OT5tr5ff ’CT !r5r5 5N1 5¥5%55;
22d DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [23 ed Sept.,
Mr, SPEAKER: Dr. Gulia Roy, I think that matter has been discussed
very thoroughly during the no-confidence motion recently.
Or, PRATAP CHANDRA CUHA ROY: Yes, Sir, but incidentally I am
referring to that.
M<r. SPEAKER: I understand it, but there are hundred and one other
ways in which it may be expressed That has been discussed threadbare.
Dr. PRATAP CHANDRA CUHA ROY: With regard to the police
budget I think I can discuss that matter also.
Mr, SPEAKER: It is no good repeating the same thing.
Dr. PRATAP CHANDRA CUHA ROY: I am comparing, Sir, the
action and inaction of the police. At the time of the student demonstration
they were ho active, c? innocent 3 riotingiii?r
jpfff nsM pr ?rt5T I
revolver CTO
fkF% to i play
smtwi *vTi ^Ttt I rit i?iTi ^5 ?rfw •!! r
department from top to bottom »jf^ ^rT^i jti i3<
wm I ]K»rt.folio f^Tc?rc^3T C 7
TOC^ 3n TCTH?. 3njt:TOr <7rTO superior officer^^j ^sfi
ITI, rMtr.ii foUS communalism KTO, communalisnii]? venom injected I
wtrvt ’fTTO^T ill 1 Jif?
»pns public servant frTO m fro
CFOt TO ; ’Tisvin -Tr^rni 4 department f?c?r cro to wi 1 totoiji jht,
jpra East Bt^n^'alD fTO ‘^T*TT=^ '^mri i fTO fnimi ^if?
Diary Diary tfrn to 1 'ff’n ^>i5T3rrJT
I * 1 ^ f4'f JU %3r 5?»4T'3 Diary m , '■5)r<TO f^nr
^ 5 TTO ’f’i?: ■m’nrM case* enquiry to 3 TO ’fTC?, n] rest cTO enquiry
TO ^^1 I
^t=tTO communalism ij^! in "JfTcts TOf? i Communal poison vfjjRoTO
injtK'tcd r:B?5 olficeiw 3rc<(f =3nTO W cji Police officer^!
TO TOi TOTS 1 tpts departmenlib Cscw siRt?
wn^ TOi
TOTV Minister fVj ^itoi. TO*! Ministers jtto confidence ’fpf
TOC^ I 1%l »Pr« police departmentvq?i a??rnu swzto ta tost ctTOt a
TOrc¥ property and life unsafe ! to TO a
fiwH? snt I »ii<fTO ’m'Win vote of confidence <iri ^TO'S Police departmental
charges minister CTO confidence TO 1
TOmi TO fltTO^T C3T *rf> Police departmentr^ r? ^tTO fipom top
to bottom C5ft¥9 TSTTT TO Tto CTO *ifwtvs TO, from Ministers down
to chowkidars. TO ^5tTO Police departmentrf f^Ff
TO tnrj ’ttm I ^ 3n TO tf«rt department^?r wm ^strs to
nt*pft c »nr mro ^nfrs to emst cro to^tph bto i
^ *fii TOTff wte^f Tm 1 wrft cat
motion froff 4i^ tot « ^fin ^tto TOtcfrr toc¥ a ilt mucf
irtto fro ttt— department? ?tTO arrangement^ ««?n f¥|TOt topport
^ ini
1^.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS. m
Mr. BENODE CHANDRA CHAKRABORTY : fk: nm, ar
^J] fw*! ^ ¥W»r« <
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▼c?i c^ ^st^tt^ 9 'SRfl^ ^] cA cf\i\ JioT Mo"t'i:^C"l^ 'tr? siw^rliii^, w. 1 %?n
‘5ro‘i'?Trc®i^ ?fffwi ?%i i jnR»7f>t;5 rrsrm'j^
’?fpTni ’rprn? c^^irmji 3 ■59*fTi:^ »iW!
f^ g;f%i (TfM tr^ ’irrmi •‘fR^ vTj I -ytTR ^1
fV ^\ wffsT^T] I 'Jto‘-f^nc‘^ Tt^rr^rr'^ !ni c^, c’l '*^fn 1 <?! 'll vftoii
f^«n *rt 1 ^*i *ff‘riii 1 jrg jjt 'jftKr-f fiffaw
(Tf^ fjRTi:^, i)--j: fi‘ta^t<i f'-^ cn v*T^*fRc-t'*
I s^if;! ^1 Hi Kr-!-tl 4f*^i •Tl r
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a -jRrTR vlg r?t37:5 3 R 1 cw-f<r>ft cit^tR^ Rta ^^Rri ^Rr ^] 1 c^stclJ-i
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artr^ '-lim 3Rk^ sTMRif 'snfjrc^ 1
<lRn R«kM ^'■iTT^ ^rfr3, Rn (RoR^ 7iW3 SrR ^ci
Ri rRirt ttR? RTti ^^i-ti I >f5i ®r^=fR ’fR^ii i^^ri inici! -i '■icR' 8ifc<i ;
tVi (Rrn^ Rfs^j argeir^R '-ur^ 3Ri ^ 9 ^ *11 1
wRR^rR? ?Tf^ R: ’TT^ttSbr R^tirr ^ sipr
R^r 9 T?m ^TTti 3Tyk^ rjfij ij«rJT9 3^^^ ^*n zvp\ gRk3 'iiR '* 11 1
^1R ^MR ^^Rrc^tR ?S? tfR ""CRR^t ^rsRi ^o‘f'r^c‘frfl tin wt ii»r: c*r<i
(TR R»pTcTwJ! 9 ng" aryn^R ■^^nrm'R*/ wrr^ ^i>T^9 va w'R irr-
^ rgi irfrRi »pf?r aT-y*tRR ^T! ’.vR ^irRnij ^Ri ’rRi5RT*ii car^tprtf
Ttwftm Rm^i aiRi i g^sR nf^T; arRnr® ^<rT rtciff ^rmynni
arrfTi ^ttRr c^ c^ ft^) Rc*r ‘JtMiafRr) Hv, n9}->$ ^rfw'R Rtvi; fTc®
4 ?; 'JTRR ^1 R'JRI 5t5tc® (R, ’’T^afR aRaril btM RR
^T5R !ff3 IRmarRC^R Rrl? Rr ^RJTkfRr/R R»JR ilC’RTlRt ^ I
g[Rif aiR -rrRj 9 yiHi n^i ▼Rrs ’itR vjpn^fffcii
w«RT5 tR^i R« stTo f ^jRn RSI'S! r?c3 >rR afT^anRrf arc^jfrsR ^ ^1 w >sc^ W3|-
RRTii yRn RoT'jf ^tcz Rr ^Rf r rri rRirs Ria -sish'irc'Ir f^n vm 1 ^jRpi
RsRf ^‘Ttfs <r?r ^R^ir RRn '*if% th vn i iiiin^hs uTt
^vn aiRi Tfw Rtto: ^i, siRRH^, mm\, arr^rRi^ tf^ pitft ¥ti
w>ri^ vtifi *iff«ici I nc^ croi, jwyar tf^ ’!c«i !jii bw *i*fpis M>fi s(^ Rn
cwi. BWB « war'll «R c^itYi fhpi yRot ftcfci 4f; 'sii to w ^tow
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[23rd Sept.
fkiv cot^ ▼fcs wii ^itfkSmf^ yiwi
I srffsr wr^ Ffes <itR
^53^ ^ir
’Jspn^fT^l JT"Hc4 (7T ’TfST ^'flfC^, ^t5t<J
#1^ c^, c^ yfki ^i vRi ?rf^ (tfm ^’W?r ^ inr, to
*if? wf??ri ^fcf^ ’Tf5T»ij ^1 ii=^; ^rf? ^1 ^
c^n^ftfTf rwi «RT ii^; ?r7 5tt3 =ffFt^i w^, tott
^IPrUJ^ frffvj^ C^ ’jfim 5itf?r^ ^fr?iru? < 5 t»ri 35f^ TO ^TOl CTO tr^t^ »rfTOT
^1 '■Iff 3J?T (Tff TO fV ii^fn:^ ^-
tfta TO^tir ^ TOtTO=f TO fwTOl TOCU Fit’ C^, i):?v? CTO T ' g F f ^ tpTOIT 4 ^ TOl
^ ^t^l OrC“M *frfT iTifl 51^^^ JHT, 3Tri 5tC5T (TT^ ^ T Ft ^C^
fir»kri TO ^1 C^, (7f TfTO t^ffh TO^T ^TOvf^rc^ ^nCF f% ^ ? TO‘t 4^ ?F«^1
TO TO 5 (?h 1 3,jv>r ’PPkfTO I OTkri to cn s cTO
■rfv ^ ; TOvt Ilf? [f?i^ TOiTO, "BTiTTO TO TO 3t7] ^tlc^nr ^fir-t to f%
TO? ? r?fl ^PS? C’Mai or^ fTOtTF C?, ^fkt C?TO^ ^lapinTO CTOtr^ CTO CTOTO
?i vtrrs TO? ^ I TPT f?c-rrv TO-j^rx 4?: f?(.»FiJ ???rft ?'? 5 T?tc'r? «rt^
cTORt^T 4?: ?y? & ^f'M'nf?^ «^p>n-4i!)TOi ?f 5 ?c3CF I at r^*;t? to c»-f?kTr?
TO ??i?5 r^?TC!5 I
4?^ ?'4f^ TOfc'n c*f*f?T^r^ f^!TO fjj, ?c^ ?fr>i fS'ci: V'O 3 ■sPPtf^'TO''
?ff ^f?c^ ffl, 'ifri 5t(T1 '^fp^K 4^ ^tfy.ttCSF 3lfM vit? I f%\5?
?tr:^ ’PR tP^r? ‘r? ■jtTO’^^ fe? r?a c^'I
r^? ; 4?r TO/t’ff? '^tiwz^pi BfJTc?=5i 4?: 5r;PTrTOc^r? oTT frnrr? tot ?rr^TO ?cTOr^ TOtT^xn
r^? I
4^TO? ?fr ’tf?Ftr?n5 TO ?S? 5R1 45. HC? ^if^Tt f^TaTC^'f? 4^ ^?1
CTO^ ’:[4-2 C?m TOl-t ?rr^(-S 4^c? ?f5pn TOf? f^-JP!
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: Mr S])(;ik(t, Sir, hitherto
1 hu\e (•aretully retrained from makinj>- any detailed criticism of the
bud^^et of this year, l)ecaiise as a memher of (his side of tlie House I feel
that we are also to some extent resfamsible for the jxdicv that has been
envisajfed m the budget estimate of this year. But, Sir, the tew incidents
that have now befallen Bengal particulurlv the <‘itv of Dacca have made
me to take my stand here today.
Sir, I think I shall be hopelessly failing; in my duty if I do not reg-ister
my voice of protest against the maladministration of the police that is going
on in Dacca. Sir, the lives and properties of the people of Dacca have
been totally insecure. There are few' days im a month when w'e do not hear
the harrowing tales of cold blooded assassination, plunder, loot, arson and
acts of incendiarism. Sir, the Dacca city has earned a jiarticular notoriety
for these riotous affairs not from t»»day but from 12 years last. Though,
Sir, we happen to run the admini.stration and though we are managing the
whole Police Department, I think, the Police has failed, and hopelessly
failed, to maintain peace and order in the city of Dacca. Now', Sir, I shall
particularly tell you how the incident started at Dacca, land therein my
friends opposite will get an^answer how the events on the Direct Action
Day took shape. You know Dacca is famous for its riots. August 16th
passed oflf safely. We had our meetings, our processions and our hartals
peacefully. Though those people are very much riotous, 17th August
passed off. 1 8th and 19th also passed on. But on the 20th when the
Muslims were returning after saying their Taravi pi^'er they were stabbed
by the Hindus, and on the following day a mo^ue in TeUpara was set fire
and the Holy Quoran was put into fire. This was enough provocation.
1946 .]
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
Zzv
So it can be easily realised that by Direct Action the Muslim League did
not mean violent attacks, otherwise in Dacca the Direct Action Day on the
16th of August would not have been observed in a peaceful wUy.
Now, Sir, I must register my protest about the Police Department.
The Police Department is manned by To j>er cent, of the people sitting
opposite. The police department which is manned predominantly by
Hindu officers have failed to luuintain peace and order, and 1 would suggest
that police department may now be manned by 75 }>er cent, of Muslim
offi(‘ers and men, so we can have our <*liaiices and see whether we can
maintain law and order or not. T would appeal to the Minister in charge
of law' and order to carefully examine and >ct* \vlictht*r that chaiUT can he
given. Now, Sir, what has hajipened in Dacra.*' My friends on this side
of the House have pointed out that the Police have i>ecome perfectly com-
munal minded. They make distiiu'tion between (’ommunity and commnnity,
and the result is that the community harassed hy the police gets cxa.spernted
and the community getting advantage from the police get cmholdencd hy
the encouragement they get. The result is dire, disastrous, dark and dis-
mal. Only cm the Pith of this month Oharwali lh»lice, all Hindus, have
been posted in Muslim Inistevs, and w/o/co/5f.v. 'rhi‘sc Oharwali police
mercilessly beat women and c‘hildren in the Muslim hi>useholds of Ihic'ca.
There are three thanas in tlic town of Dac'ca — one Sulra]mr, the c‘ther is
Lnlhagh, and the third is Kotwali. The Olhcer-in-chaige of the Kotwali
polic’e-staticm is a Muslim, and in this thana crime is 1c‘sh, innch h‘ss, tlian
the other two thanas where the idhcers-in-chargc* arc Hindus. It anybody
has failed to maintain peace* and older it is the nn*n of the Pedice Depart-
ment, and not Mr Snlirawaid>.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Your stalwart (^hief Minister is the
chief of the jiolica*
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: I am m t in c harge of
tlmiius.
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: Now, Sir, it will be
argued that it is not possible tor <iccv<*inment to detail cuie police man for
ever\ individual. I must admit that this arguin<*ni is true. Some thing
wrong is c-omiiig into the police that exist in Heiigal today. They are
getting communal-minded. The pcdice forget that their business is to
maintain peac*e and order, hut they are only after cases. Th«»v rush after
a man is killed, or after a house i.s looted. After an offence* has been com-
mitted they begin investigation or encjuir>, and harass people to whatever
extent they cun, and in cioing so thev forget that it is thc‘ir responsibility
to maintain a calm and peac'.etul atmosphere in the country, that their duty
is to maintain peace and not only to prosec ute people or haul up some
offenders.
1 do not want to make my speech lengthy by arguments. Now, Sir,
what has happened at Dacca. It has .liecoine abscdutcly difficult for the
citizens, for the law abiding citizens of Dacca, to go to his avocation of
ordinary nature. Business at Dacca has come to a standstill, (uimmercial
prospect has become nullified. Sp I would appeal to the Honlile Minister
in charge with all the earne8tnes.s that I can command that he should do
eomething particular for Dacca, so that we can get relief from the excesses
and highhandedness of the Hindu polic‘e there.
Now I will state only one point more. This Department has been given
to us for local administration under the Government of India Act, 1986.
Formerly it used to be administered by the Govemor-in-Council along with
his Councillors. This is the only one tangible good we have got uncTer the
present Government of India Act. Now, Rir, if after having this power
and having this responsibility, we cannot administer this Dejmrtment to
230
DEMAND POE GEANTS.
[23ed Sept.,
the satisfaction of the people, nor can we guarantee them the security of
their life and property the time is not far when we shall have to Hang
(hfwn our bead in shame and disgrace.
(Maulvi Majibar Eahman rose in his seat and wanted to speak in
Bengali.)
Mr. SPEAKER: With regard to Bengali speeches I wish to make my
position clear today. As many as five members have spoken in Bengali on
the demand under the head “Jails”, and on the demand under the head
“Police”, I think, two members have spoken in Bengali. The first speaker
in English was Mr. Mazharul Haque, except of course the Hon’ble Minister
in charge of Ihe Department. The honourable member who rose just now
in his seat desires to speak in Bengali. Now, there are only two Bengali
reporters here, and it is not possible for them })hysicallv to rejmrt seriatim
the speeidies. I have moved (loverniiient on several occasions hut without
suco(fss. It was only on the days of the No-(hmfidence motions on the ^9th
and 2()th that two additional Bengali reporteis were olaced at our disposal
but since then they have been wdthdruvrn. So tin* honourable niembers
will realise that it is not possible to get a verljutim leport of the Bengali
speeches recorded in the proceedings. There ma,\ be only suniniary.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAJUMDAR: Sir, if this is the position it
alfects the pi’ivileg<'s of the House. 1 suggest that if the (’liief Minister
of Bengal, or the Home Department of <iovernint*nt, or \\[io(‘ver the a) pro-
jjriate authority is, eaniiol make provision tor suHicior r(*poT'1ers to rejuu't
the speeches delivered in Bengali on tlu‘ floor of tliis Ilous<* by ilu* ifjin^en-
tatives of the people of Bengal, let the •'essidii rto-rain suspended until
airatigt Jiients have hecui made to g-et the B(*ngali soeeelies (hdivered by the
honourabh* members duly recorded. Sir, J submit to you that this is not
a warning or caution which should be addressed to th(* mtunbers but i at her
to the Government. Members have a right to express their views in their
own mother-tongu«‘ in this lloust'. There should be everv uirangement
made.
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: Provided they do not
know English.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAilUMDAR: That is avoiding to the
restriction put by Constitution.
If arrangements in this House arc such that speeches cannot he jecoided
in full, the busiuess of the House should remain snsjiended if there is the
confession that such an arrangement is impossible.
Mr. FAZLUL QUADIR: Sir, then* arc some members also who want
to speak in Crdu as well. It members who <an very well speak in English
claim their right to speak in Bengali, there are others who may as w’ell
claim to speak in Urdu. This simply dishaates the work of reporting the
proceedings of the House.
Th« Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Rir, I have listened to thia
discussion w'ith a certain degree of hesitation. This is the first time that
the matter has been brought to my notice and I shall certainly take steps
to place at your disposal adequate number of shorthand reporters in
Bengali in order to meet the situation.
Mr. 8PEAKER: After what has been said by the Hon’ble the Leader
of the House I think it i.s mj^duty to inform him and the House that it is
not the first time that this iiiatier has been brought to the notice of the
Government. But it is tlie first time that the Hon’ble the lieader of the
House is present in the House to hear about the inadequacy of Uie staff of
Bengali reporters, I may inform the House that the matter has been
brought to the notice of Government more than once both in this House le
well as outside.
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
231
The Hoti>ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALIi On a point of personal explana-
tion, Sir, on the occasion of the ilebate on the no-c‘onfldence motions ^you
told me that there was a likelihood of a larjrer number of speakers taking
? iart in the debate in Bengali and you wanted additional Bengali reporters
or the two days. It was at your request that I arranged for additivinal
Bengali reporters for those two days. It was onl\ for those two days that
I sent a requisition to the Chief Minister’s Department. They v ere placed
at your disposal for two days only and withdrawn thereafter as a result of
the arrangement made between you and me.
Mr. SPEAKER: I would request the tTovernment to go through the
correspondence that has been going on between this l)ej>artment ami ttov-
ernment. and then they will realise the ditliculties of this Department.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: 1 admit that clearly there
has been a misunderstanding wliieh I shall talo* tin* earliest steps
to remove.
Mau|vi MAJIBAR RAHMAN : Mr. S|H*akei . Sir. iimsF WXT
^ I (''4m^res8 beru'h cut
motion fcr vcM) i i]|?i -rfi cn ^.f (tj
qfir-f .uf I iM] (?\
iii?] JToT ^rvf] I '-ttfbs cv police
offieer^i rc^
«TfJitcw< -ftfy '5 i «rtf=t =itsfr^
srprn; 'dff< ^^5 S, I*. jnctF^r. I). S. P. Atcibs,
^-51!^ n”9tTi ^ i p^wi-yfwhn Btcffcf ,
'!5tC5 '®rmi ij ^pwi cvirr wi'TC'i cM^\^ c»i y<^«Tii
•JTPn fr^oOieers fr*^ Assistant Commissioner
^<] vfpp) ^>r^irrjTfi*'/rr^ yriypiT v»i •Tff vfsFtiif'f 5tsii
’TCIS TO 'Ti 'if’T-t c^fi^ nfi'hn 'iTt i fltf’i 'itT of!ie(*r
'BTPR^f jpi. =7f=tN c^-rm. r'Tvm rctii? Ttrwc¥
cn ^Jif8 ''tifbij cn? n?? yrc'i rctii' r 'iifw cn
ysToPTf't^j' n:?i ^TOt^rro S'l? '*n;ri5ti
’tf^i r^T'TiW'i ntrfrr i 3tt
'«TtwrT <3?“ ’Tfcwtt qri fw^j 4^* ws^i
4? c’T cTTi ?W5rrJT ’*fr4 ^■yar*T '®rfi|f’TrT ^4 fjt w=ryft^i
PTC? I fV 'drf-J C? TO C^ff^ ’IffiTO 5'C? f? f ^'-^4 liendi C'tCV'O
ftro c? 4rfwc^< ?r?i, »f("?''ff?nri;) ?? ▼^fri rrffCf i
4^ ^TOi, •rpF4i *\<n w? bO W.T S. P., D. S. P. TP'S <jf^1 ?f»TC^
«lT¥i ?tf ^ Jifl I f5f«7 wf? TrfV? i n fTO? i
Mirf? c5mrt?T3?tra ^ P *jfT i «rwcfi
csTfiHt^lrs 4?f«^? D. S. P. 8. P.’? charge fsTC? ?frw i wtf? f%f5j
C<fT? JTOt?C^4 o'TC? supcrsode TO promotion C*T5?r!? ^ntTI
>PTO service book TO s^fTO CTOTC^? 4?t TOT ▼^5t?tC*n
promotion '®rfVTO, ynTwlTO? "PfWrtsiny i ’3r5^t* 'Xt'ror
< 4 ^ budget wtr*Tt5?i f^w ^sftfx 4^ ^ffwf c? ?t\Wi c*tc*1 onstvi c?Trv? x? ^f%c^
xcx f^nnf ^TC^ c*tci ^ ’rx^i x^y^rnnr cxtnFt^ poUoe department 4 ttx
»fr8ii f^rsny irT xn r V i ^ xi toi ^ 9wi wvt ^msTV ▼^r« to i wt¥
ar*tf cror x»Kfx cx 4Xrx¥n[ tfxfx cxxpffe Mr. Suhrawardy’x S*fx i ffcfl
xfM C4IC¥ 4 ¥Xi wixro ♦ttfl ft <x ^nxc¥ cxfcxf ft ?ncfx I €lll ft itflt t
282
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[23rd Sept.,
011 r c»r0r^ (7RT<t% r ?
0twrv Sf^i « c^f’ff^ or? fr ^f%-f f¥ S. P.,
D. S. P. 0 ^f¥f wkim, 0 tr<rpT 0 arlt »rf?i
ikv ^f-!t fkv, 4^ to ^01 0;5n cm
^^prmc'fij c^T ^tor ^1 tcfp, ^ ^m?ri m tffem Ftf^ 1 1 ^
^ fVf urf ^1 1 ^Bftwzw w^ij ?:c 0 i to ^rf? ton fto cn >rm nr-yrto
m iin: c^^ nmr ton m m 1 nfn nrm tom? tr!f
wcJic-fn^ y? ^ffn arrf^T I ;i(ff3r ii5pgr.{ fynrcn, ineral>er tofcn ^rtorff 1 ^iwcnn
ncn? •nfnn ^ 5 > 1 ^<1 ^01^ n^cnn ^rnm n^nc^ to
?¥•& m fncu =n I ( Hear, hear ) ^ 4^0 fn*/m n^R, ^ni fnnfcn
T^-frcnn m Ttn, nf^Thinj ni nf^?rm -rmn nit'-ircn nir-trcn ^iipit 3 '3Tc«fn ^"rts 5 t^ jti,
to r^cn** to tot '3 Rc^ ^n
Mr. HEMANTA KUMAR BA8U: Mr. Speaker, Sir, sinee the adveut
of the UritiHherH here, the people in this eountry never looked upon the
police UH th(*ir trieiids, not to speak of as their servants. If vve look into
the history, we will find a number of facts which is borne out by the police
excesses that have been committed on different occasions.
Sir, we have witnessed the conduct of the police in the last Calcutta
riots. In November lust when there was a deinonsti«i1ion by tlie studmits.
the pidice all on a sudden came there and bejran to shoot at the students.
Rumeswar llanerji, a student, tell down immediatel\. The ('oroner held
«n in<iuest over tlie dead body and j^uve a vcnli<‘t. but Sir, the authorities
never cared to put that verdict into eiVect 01 to punish those officers who
were responsible for the murderous shots that they fired at Ranieswar
Bamu’ji. Subsequent inciuests were held over the dead bodies (d our
students, but no action was taken against the oflicei^ who were responsible.
Sir, you know that on the Itashid All Day we — Hindu and Muslim
students took (mt a procession and wanted to pioceed towards tlie Dalhousie
Squart*. The poli<’e came there at once and began to fire at the students.
I do not know if the Government has yet made any emiuiry into that.
About a month ago, I submitted a question to the Secretary if any action
had been taken against the police wdio weie responsible lor shooting in
November last and on the Rashid Ali Day. The iiucstion has not yet come
before us. When there were clashes during the Calcutta riots, liundreds
of people were murdered throughout Calcutta and the police were nowhere
to De found.
In Midnapore in li)42 when there was a great flood people asked for shel-
ter for food and for clothing and the police fired at them, began to arrest them
and put them info prison. The police in our country can strike terror in
the hearts of the people, but they do not know how to relieve the terror-
etriken people of their distress. They do not know how to defend the people
when they are in danger.
Sir, though there has been a discussion on the Calcutta riots, though
there have been some incidents today, on the whole Calcutta is a little
peaceful, but in Dacca in spite of such a discussion in this Assembly House
the police are continuing their inaction in a partisan spirit. Aboit Dacca
my friend Mr. Maibarul Huque said that the sacred Quoran was desecrated
M(l a mosque was set fire to. blit I ascertained from some of mv friends of
llacca wlio told me that this is anytliing but true. If the behaviour <»f the
Mlice was as we expected certwnly we would have voted foe this estimate.
It in the last riots the behaviour of the police was satisfactorv, if they
could have removed terror from the hearts of the people, if they could have
j ® from the hands of the goondas^ certainly we would have
wted for this eatimate.
J946.]
DEMAND Foil OEANTS.
283
Sir, what is the position of the police today? The police is it'fnsed
writh partisan spirit. The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. Suhrawanly who is res-
ponsible for law and order admits that he has no control t vcr the Police
Conimi.ssioner. Then I must request Mr. Suhrawaidy to vote with us.
If he has no control over the police, then wli\ has iic taken the poitfolio of
Law and Order and why has he taken the re.soonsibilitv tor it? lie must
give it up and let u.s all to^ndher vote down this )ndiee budget.
Sir, with these words I oppose the motion.
Hr. MUHAMMAD ABDU8 8ALAM: .J.fH. I V) lice Budget
wff i
appointment promotion il=i home tl('|mrtment injustice
^ I Tf?)^r5t9 b .“J 5^*7 l).‘puty (\)mnii.i.sioner JTC^IT
»n:?j :jri: ih'-h f-r f'i'ier?! 'uti
vSRT'i ^:ttRT fstrlji] S. P,. D S. P. 4^* J H. a D I- B. C* C«5 »r41P 'ibtl high
officialM 7(1 p(‘r eeiit. fiv Hr> rt cent, Mj warffl
I »!'45 TfWR c’fl cn ’tTtni
rcb? 4^r ir<t srr^' '"-IThi'i (7ft uo ])er cent, caste fV^;
<4^: iRTt ^f?r<T ^3 t=rr7:p^ b ^irttbR i
o[)fK»Hite party c^rc'^- vRiftii (TTir^ ^rrrpir-sf^ c^r rnti iMf
sFvfTt CJf fS'-tTl? eommuiial vni l C’l
?5Tf5 I 4t R commnnal vv^i. c>rj:i <|rHi <7ft east(* •?(! ff r
-Jir&Tif (iisensiit
%ii (.onimunal diseri'dit 5RJ i ▼tcvt
^tfTi ui ^v}i ^ r.ij. •fpi«f ^^1 zlz^ reserve
jjif.T r4,--**;rc'R reserve f^zv 1Pf*T ^fl Pfi I
<7!^ 5Tti ^^^91 rcircf^ -‘h: fsfbrtt *i<R
^'nfU i^R c»Tv ^P4 fjfbTtrfl S'-Rt ^RC^i ’Tfp control affrro
pfpn »rt>i TfR 47(^7 reserve police 45f* TflttTi r.rl¥ 4^*
«f?Rrp, yp! 2 ^ cTrsfTCJT >r4« ^wR ’if’f-t f^zn control w^iZ'V I ( ironical cries of
*'Maharba" ] zr«i^?r 1). 1 B. ij 1. Bess Mohammwian appointment, aeeortling to
population basiH4 W<1 (7-Tf i (a voice from opposition —population C’f*^f(nri Pttf
’trr^ ) f^«tp5f WTs: fifty per cent. Mohammedan apfHiint merit ¥^1 Mt I
( laughU»r ) cominuiial ratio viw i ▼pel (7»^l mi (7t.
T.tfinf ^3f W^PTfR WTHF M Titptl) fpl] W’f?T^rr»7fl €^1*1 ^^Tt^ti ▼!!
fTWF ( ( eries from opposition “question, question ' ) 7B[pTtc*r4 ®tfrc*fl
:rciT ^r«f] a. wsnm m mrz ’ttcfl ^n i i ^r^fiR wot »nn
wcicf , 4W^ wretf i ttot 4wlt Sfr® i ^nw^rR citw 4C»r
aPfz wfVwni wc^ffw, 4?t TFf^iT «rm i^n^JTR wfri wtwi ncf €Prf W;wtf 8*!i
cwml^ 4? tfwps wf’f^nr w ^ tr sR jtr ^rtt i 4? fw^ W 3 m?r» w:«TPf ^n^WOTi wtw
W9J 3n I
Mr. MANORAMAN DHAR: Mr. Sneaker, Sir, J am going to discuss
a problem which constitutes a nerve-ra<*King menace to hundreds of rail-
way travellers in certain sections of the liengul-Assam Railway in the
diatiicts of Myniensingh, Dacca and Tippera. Sir, rernissness and failure
of the police administration has been tne main contributory cause of the
prolonged troubles in those areas infested with certain brutish goondui.
FOT more than a year or so, parts of the Eastern Bengal Railway sections
m
DEMAND FOB GBANTS.
[23ed Sept.,
have completely passed under brigand rule. For a long time the Mymen-
tjingh-Bhairab, MymeuHingh-Daeca and Bhairab-Comilla lines have been
the favourite haunts of gangsters eommitting loot, murder and sabotage
along the railway lines in an organised fashion. Sir, virtually this gangster
rule has caused abdication of law and order in those areas. Administration
seems to have completely collapsed there. Holding up of trains and
robbing and killing of passengers are taking place almost every month and
even every week. And women travellers are being dragged, harassed,
molested and criminally outraged. Railway wagons are being pilfered and
Railway otficers are also being intimidate<l and assaulted and killed. The
other (lay one Railway Public Relations officer was reporting that two
railway employees in the Dacca station had been killed. The other day
the Station Master of Manikhali was slabbed t<j death. Sir, it is not
possible within this brief compass of time to recount all the acts of robbery
and murdi'i’ even of recent occurrence, but let me cite a few instances.
The poignancy of the whole situation is underlined by the dastardly
incident which took place on the 29th August between Ashuganj and
J alsuhar when the pregnant young wife of a railway employee Sj, Satyen
Biswuis w'as dragged out of her compartment and brutally murdered. Her
dead body was found floating in a n(*ar by /7o// next morning and her
belongings had all gone and liei- other companions were also injured,
(hi 4tli May, l!l4(i, in Musuli statiim one lady was forcibly taken away from
the train and a few days before this incidmit anotlnn UoIn travelling from
Calcutta to Kishoreganj was attackc(l near Kislioie;»an j ^lnd was severely
molested. We have heard the story <ml\ the other da\ ot the looting ot "a
goods train for hours togetlier in the Begunhari station in hroad daylight
by 20(1 f/(wn(hhs. Again, Sir, you must lone heard about two successive
train accidents to the Surma Mail which took plac(‘ on (he Jlth and 20th
August in (he <’our.se of 12 days at the same phn-e and about the same time.
There must liave been some foul l>lay at (he loot ot tliese railway <hsastt*rs.
i can multiply instances, in the .Mymcnsingh*l)acca line, in no station
or place passengers find it safe to cover the ways to their des(inution> after
alighting from the train even during the day time. vSir. this is the situation.
In fact e\erv i>assen^er aft(‘r passing Sansliahari nunuins in a iierve-hreaking
suspense and in constant dread of being moleste<l and attacked in e(»nrse
of the journey to Bhairab and beyond and elsewhere in the Mymen-
singh district. What a dangerous state of affairs! And tragically enough
this slat(‘ of affairs is being allowed to continue for more than a year. Sir,
may we ask what is this huge parapharnalia of law and order for, if innocent
people are not protectinl from the hands of (/oondas and robbers r* I cannot
understand liow’ luin a ])(>pular Ministry look njion such a dreadful develop-
ment w'ith equanimity y No <*ivilised eonunnnity in modern times can
think of silch a perpetual state of lawlessness going on without let or
hindrance. May I ask (he Chief Minister with whom from time to time
all the matters were posted up by the Railway authorities and various other
inBtiiutions and also by various representatives of the public on various
occasions for taking pn»]>er and remedial measures to protect innocent
travellers from the depreilatious of limdigans and goondos if he has moved
at all in this matter!^ Sir, it is well-known that the Railway authorities
have no armed Police force of their own. 1 cannot understand why even
in spite of so much approaches and proddings from the public leaders,
M.L.A’s. and also from the Railway authorities, is the Ministry or the
Government so reluctant and indifferent in the matter of taking proper
measures for protecting jieople from goondas' hands. AFe have seen in the
past and we shall perhaps see fli the future too that w^hen it is a que.stion
of suppressing a national movement for the country’s freedom, the whole
machinery of Ooverninent acts with the speed of lightning perfecting their
organisation in the twinkling of an eye to strike down the high and the
low at one fell blow. But why there is such a lukewarm attitude, such
leluotanoe and such pusillanimity on the part uf the Government when it
is a question of easuiing the safety of the endangiEured travelling public is
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
2W
""beyond iny comprehension. Sir, I know that from December, 1945, till
May this year the Kailway authorities several times made several repre-
sentations to iioverumeut and even to the lion 'hie ('hiet Minister himself.
Finding no improvement in the situation, the Transportation Oflieer and
the Deputy Oeneral Manager ot the Bengal A.ssam Uailway, a few weeks
ago, saw the €hief Minister and they repre>tMited to him that the life and
property of the people, the travellers* life and the life id' the railway staff
had got to he protected. They also urged upon the (lovernment the
necessity of taking immediate measures, effective measures, for the safety
of the travelling public and railway staff against such attacks and assaults
by hooligans. But what has been done by the (lovernment ^ The other
day I was reading in the newsjuipers a I’ress-note issued on the 2lst
-September by the I’ublic Kelations <tffi(M*r. (’alcutta Kailways, in which he
announced susjiension of all uight'-running trains on certain sections in
Dacca and Chittagong Divisions <lue to attacks on railway staff and others.
The General Manager of the Bengal-Assam Bailway has asked the Govern-
ment ol Bengal to arrange fur sufficient iirotection to enable the staff to
discharge their fluties, without fear (d being m(d<‘sted and attacked. 1 do
not know what steps have been taken by the Government since then. Sir,
some film* in May of this year 1 accompanied by several brtdlier M.L.A.’s
saw tile Chief Minisiei llim^cl^ fiver tluN matter and he assured us that
something jmsitive woubl bt* done to ^top those irimes and perhaps some-
thing was thercujioii (lom*. Ariuefl pickets, though not in adequate
stn'U^lh, were i»rovuled itt the night-rumiiiig trains, but siimiltaueously
with the n‘ccut f)utbr<‘ak oi tlisturbaiices in Dacca, 1 uiidcrslaml. all these
guards havf' liceii withdrawn. Such abrupt withdrawal id guards thereby
giving the ruffians a clear chaiicf* to rt*ii(*w their netarious activiiif*s is
foolish enough. It is difficult to understand why guards liavc lieeii with-
drawn in siK’h a way.
Mr. SPEAKER: Your time is up, Mi. Dhar.
Mr. MANORANilAN DHAR: May I have two minutes, SirP
Mr. SPEAKER: All right
Mr. MANORANJAN DHAR: Sir, then, when we s.iu the Chief
Minister we put forward (certain remedial suggestions. I do not knf>w if
any substantial step has been taken in the matter though we rec.eived
lavou ruble assurance from him. Bet me repeat tliosf' suggestions here so
that he may reconsider them. Sir, if those suggestions are accepted
immediately it will save so many people from the depredations of those
aoondiis and robbers. The urgency of the matter is jiatent enough and I
hope the Ministry will no longer toy with such a vital question concerning
the life and death of so many innocent travellers and the railway staff’.
The suggestions are as follows: “Armed guanls in greater strength should
be at once provided for all the train.s and stations in the dangerou.s areas.
Military gArds should be posted ail along the railway lines. Steps should
be taken for arming the Kailway J^dlce. The Bolice outpost in Bhairab
which is at a distance from the railway station should be removed to the
etation platform. There should be a general rounding up of the bad
characters of the disturbed localities where the iniscreaiitH' dens should be
uneaVthed and smashed and also other punitive measures adopted. The
ring leaders of tho.He gangs should be traced and arrested who are more or
less known to the people of the locality and who on the assurance of Govern-
ment protection and safety may be dispfwed to diwlose their names. Lights
should be provided in the trains and stations. Sweeping changes of the
railway staff some of whom eircumstantialiy seem to be conniving at
commissions of crimes may also lie effected, in the railway sections of the
affected zones’ B 5ir, these are the suggestions and 1 hope the Minister in
charge will seriously <^nsider them in view of the extreme urgency of the
problem.
236
DEMAND POE GHANT8,
[23aD Sept.,
Mr. R. HAYWOOD: Even before these ca^mitous riots that we have
been just through, it cannot be denied that during the past year there has
been a serious deterioration in the inaintenance of Jaw and order. There
have been senseless attacks on innocent persons and much damage in pro-
perty. There has also been a marked increase in general crime in urban
and rural ureas, particularly in^ robberies and dacotiesi In those cir-
cumstaiK^es we (tonsider that the measures to strenffthen the police are
absolutely essential, and we support the Hon’ble Minister’s proposals tor
ifcdditional expenditure, which in view of our recent experiences now appears
almost inadeiiiiate. Does the Hon’ble Minister propose to place further
projiosals hir strengthening the police before this Housed From the number
of cut motioiiH tabled liy Opposition members critisiiig the iailure of the
Police to (;heck robberies and dacoities, it would appear that they also
realise that additional expenditure is essential. They are no doubt aware
that in many rural thans there are only ten men for 1(X) square miles and
that these ten men are usually without a teleplione and without adequate
^communications.
As the previous sjieaker was fully explaining, Sir, train thefts on the
railways, notably in Fast Bengal have become a grave worry to everyone,
and we, Sir, note with anprovul the extra expenditure under the heailiiigs
“Railway Police”, ‘‘Mechanical Transjmrt", and “'Wireless”, and liope
that new measures will lead to the Htamj)ii]g out of much of the lawh'S'«iiess
in far away mofussil districts.
Planning scdiemes for the advam-emeiit and development of the I'ro-
viuce are about to take shuj)e in the near future. Without law and order
there cun be no progre.ss in our nation-building activities. Wt* must asnure
to Uie people p(*af!eful eonditioiis and the protection of the law in their
activities, otherwise we cannot hope to make an\ ])rogreh8. We feel that
an increase in Armed I’olice is essential.
As we all value the maiutemince of order, we should be temperate* in
our criticism of the police upon whom we depend tor this fundamental
function. It might almost be said that th«‘ P(die(‘ havt' l)een “over ^liti-
cised” during the past few years. Year after yeai, Sir. tlie (’ongress
I’urty especially, have come to this llou.se with hundreds of cut motions
under the liead “Police (Irant”. It may even be (juestioned whether some
of the ‘‘inactivity” of the J*olice during the recent riots may not have been
born of this eternal criticism of their actions.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAJUMDAR: To teach the ci‘iti(\s a lesson.
Mr. R. HAYWOOD. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Mr. Dutt-Mujumdar is inter-
rupting me. I notice, and Hon’ble Members here will notice, that Foiigress
Ministries have used their police, let me say, very ‘vigorously”. 1 think,
Sir, there is always a temptation to sit still and do nothing if the only result
of taking action is that you are publicly abused in the press and the Legis-
lature. The Police may and do make mistakes, but this is true surely in
oil walks of life. Criticism should \w fair and just. It is said, Sir, that
the Polios are corrupt. I should like to think, Sir, that we could have a
strike against enrruption. We have got strikes against everything else but
we want a strike against corruption for that would be really effective, but
it is too good to be hoped for.
It has also been argued, Sir, that the Police are so iioorlv paid that that
fact, in itself, was conducive to corruption. But we are glaU to note that
the arm of the law is to receive better pay; indeed the heavie.st increase in
the grant is under this head. The tax-payer may lie disturbed, but the
pttharawnllah had to do his dutv; be also has the right to live and has to meet
the increased cost of living. Not all India's tears of compassion should he
ahed only for all the other services and employments.
. The expeudituri under the headings “Wireless Scheme” and “Vehiclee
for the CJiUoutta Police”, we note, and have no fault, to find wi^ sacli
DEMAND FOE GRANTS.
m
w|||odern and sensible arranpemenbs. One trembles to think wblit might
have hapiiened in Calcutta without these fast mott»r patrols under wireleBS
direction during the recent riots. At the same time. Sir, we feel that the
|K>licy of too much oeutrulisation may sometimes W dangerous. During
the riots whole streets were completely deserted of all forms of police for
long perii»ds which, in itself, not only encourages law breakers, but may
also breed the fear that something ver^ learful is hu])peniug elsewhere^
and that all the forces ot law and order are fully extended in that loeality.
hope that the Ilon’ble the (’hief Minister will undertake legislation »
similar to that which exists in Bomhay which juovides for the payment of
compensation to those who sutler damage or iniury during disturhuncea.
If (xovernment are unable to give protection to those who suffer damage in
disturbances, then surely tlie least the fjovernmeiit can do is to pay com-
pensation. We think ^that such a provision would not only In* I'oiisidered
a just measure of recompense for tne damage suffered but it might also
have a deterrent effect.
On word more. Sir, and 1 finish. 1 agree with the prevalent view,;
having been in this town for a long time, that the juilice are somewhat
unpopular, and that there are even perM«ms who will not report thefts to
the police because they feel that it is useless to do so. There is certainly
room for improvement in tlie prt‘veiili(Ui and detection of crime. In
Calcutta rei’cntlv there has been a serious increase in the luimher of thefts,
hut one rarely liears of a case of defection. What has happened to tha
detective training school \\hich was closed down in Hh'll J' Jf we want
improvement in the detection of <’rime. then we should press tor the ojien-
ing of a school in which officers and men cun receive special scieutifio
training in the defection of crimt‘. Will the ilon’ble. Minister please
explain why no pntvision has been made in this year’s hudiret for a irainiuir
school, and if ami ^^hen he intends to establish onej^
Sir, wc Mipjiort the demand.
Mr. JYOTi BA8U: Sir, 1 shall not refer in detail to the traditional
polic e of the police in this eouiitiy, whether (hey l)e Hindus or Muslimi',
to g(* against all people’s movements which are directed against the policy
of the British Government. VV’heiiever they have acted, it is the polii’y,
the malevolent jmliev of the police, to crush people’s movements, nut at
the same time when one section of the people is s(H against another we find
the police inactive, A new term has recently been coiiieil, culled tha
"Kyieigeiicy measures”, which mean that the police are to l>e withdrawn
from the streets to let the people do us they like. That is the policy, the
concentrated essence (»t the ])olicy ot neutralilv adopted since the 16th
August last. 1 shall not refer to that policy again, hut what is alarming,
Sir, in this situation is that the (ffiief Minister said the other day in his
speech wdien he referred to section 9 of the Police Act, by which he, meant
that the (Jhief Minister had not much to do with the Police Cominissioiier’s
acts of omission and commission. The (Jhief Minister has made it out by
citing section 9 that the police are not under popular contnd and that
because of se<‘tion 9 even the fact of Bengal l>ei|^ f|4mitiistered by a
popular Ministry has made no change. That is wliy 1 8ay, lit is astounding
that we should be asked to vote for this police force to arm the Anglo-
Indian and other Police forces with rifles and revolvers and give them
wireless sets and so on, so that they may crush people’s movements. 1 say,
Sir, it is alarming Wause there is no popular control, as the Chief
Minister himself has made it out in the debate (be other day. Bo Mr.
Speaker, I just refer to that section along with the interpretation which
was given by the Chief Minister that the police are not under [lopular
control.
Sir, I do not think his interpretation of seertidn 9 of the Police Act u
correct, but all the wme it is alarming because the Chief Minister of the
day thinks that that is^he interpretation to be put on section 9 of the Police
Act regarding the ppwers and [auctions of the Police Commissioner,
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[23ed Sbpt.,
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: , On a point of order, Sir.
The point that has been raised by Mr. Basu was dealt with by the Hon’ble
Chief Minister in his reply in connection with the debate on the No-con-
fidence motions, but w’e are discussing the Budget.
Mr. SPEAKER: That is no point of order.
t Mr. JYOTI BA8U: Mr. Speaker, I was alarmed to hear some members
I of the G(tverninent benches trying to support the police on communal lines,
1 that is, they make it out that if the police are Muslims they will protect
\ Muslim lives. I hope they understand what they are talking. Sir, these
Se not the people who carry with them the f ra^lilioiis ot the Wahabis who
/fought against the British : these are not the people who tomorrow are
supposed to launch on Direct Action against the British. They do not
know how the poli(‘e behave, wdiether they are Muslims or Hindus. Do
they not know that on the Rashid AH Day, wdien Muslim bovs came out
on the streets, their Deputy Commissioner of Police asked the police to
charge on them with lathis and batons? They ought to know it, if they
do not know’ how their students were beaten on the Rashid Ali Day.
Therefore, Sir, when I hear such things in defence of the police by the
members of tlie Muslim lieague I am atraid, because they arc supposed to
have been (dected hy their own peojile. and if in defence of tli(‘ p(dicc they
stand here today they will inive to g(» and c\j)lain to their masses. I am
sure they know' the Muslim masses and the\ will {^ive iheiii the rej)ly they
deserve to get. At the same time 1 <-annot but icier to the point made by
the Kiiropeun member before me. He tried to show that in ('ongress pro-
vinees the police were being employed vigorously, 1 say that if that is
so, it is a matter of shame. If the police aie used to break people’s strikes,
to break people’s movements, then it is a matter ot shame, But I say, in
any case, have we ever seen the police giving protection to tlie jieople,
whether in Hast Bengal or West Bimgul or throughout Bengal?
Therefore, in conclusion, I point out to the Chiet Mini.ster that even
now there is time. We should like to know' from him what popular control
there is over his police. Certainly the present police exists not for the
protection of the people and we sball not vote a single j>ie for the police
Decause the police do not do their duty. In tlie Kmergency Scheme doling
the riots they either got out of the streets into their liomcs, or they lolped
in arson and looting. Therefore the (’hief Mini.ster has no riglit to ask us
to vote for such huge sums for the police which exist in Bengal. We Hke
to know from him what is the interpretation he puts on .section 9 of the
Polict Act. We should like to know what popular (ontrol there is over
the pidice.
Ill conclusion, I think that as the polices are tainted, not a single member
in this House has any faith in the police, nor a single member of the public
has any faith in the police. I w^ould ask him to constiiuie a sort of com-
xnittvie with all sections of this Hou.se so that they (mu have some sort of
control over the police, go into the acts of their omission and commission
and see tha^ those toady police of the British will not in future break up
our people’s movement, will not raise their guns and rifles over our heads
will not point their guns and rifles at our breasts, the breasts of the Indian
pcopk* — Hindus and Muslims.
Mr. 8YE0 HABIBUL HUQ: Mr. Speaker, Sir, coming as I do from
rural areas I consider it mv duty to make a brief observation regarding
the general administration or the police so far as rural areas are concerned.
Sir, I understand Government contemplate the expansion of the jwlice
staff and I lielieve Government will do so on the presumption that expan-
sion of the police staff will largely help in the maintenance of law and
order in the pi^vinee. But Sir, our experience of the general administra-
tion of the police, dur knowledge of the general conduct of the police from
top to bottom give a lie direct to tkis presumptioii. I am deliberately of
im.]
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
opinion that the police far from being the custodian of law and order has
largely been responsible for wanton lawlessness and disorder in the country.
Sir, the corruption prevailing amongst the iiolice of the lower rank, I
mean Sub-Iiisneotors downwards, has become a regular menace to the dump
and unlettered |>eople of the rural areas and the Bara Babus and ('hoto
Balms, and the Bara ^'ahib^ ami the (^hoto Sahibs of the mofussil
thanas are pratdically the monarchs in their respective areas and these
self-styled monarchs in assertion of their monarch} initiate a reign of
terror by wanton highhandedness on the dninl> millions of the rural areas.
Sir, brutal assault, indiMriminate arrest; unjustifiable insult, bribe-taking
and extortion fonii the jirincipul part of |M)lice action while dishonesty,
arrogance and impertinence mark the spt‘cial feature of their everyday
conduct.
Sir, we all kpow that the police is generally recruited from the jieople
of town— bred section. So being conscious of their physical superiority and
being vested with the powers by the department they carry on their lieart-
less and barbarous treatment with exuberance and animalism. And so far
as police officers of higher grade from Suhdivisional lN>Ii<*e Otficer upwards
are concerned, the most serious »‘harge against tlieiii is that they
consider it to he their sacred duty to save a^io defend their subordinuteH,
however corrupt, however dishonest they might he. This altitude on the
part of the superior officers towards the suhoruinates is primarily responsible
for the unbridled iiuthority uith which the police of the lower rank <'urr\
on their heartless regime.
Sir, Addison says that human nature is a (‘ombiiiatioii of angelic nnt|
beastly cleimmts. Judging from the general conduct »>f the police one i.s
constrained to believe that these peojrle hefoi'e entering the service deli-
berately shake off the angtdic element of llie nature and take the (►lht‘r one.
One is naturally constrained to believe that these jreople before entering
the service deliberately hid goral-hye to their conscience, fo all their moral
excellence ami to all essential qualities that (liftereiitiate man from other
species and, Sir, the leciillection of inhuman atrocities perpt*tnited within
my constituency, I mean the constituency that J represent. Hashes across my
mind. I am prepared t(» go one step fuitlier to say that th<*se jn»lice officers,
the rank ami file of the jmlice before entering ih** service deliberately kill
their soul and remain so many moving carcasses that will just strike terror
and panic in the minds of the rural people
There is no denying tlic fact that the general conduct of the police from
top to bottom leaves room for a good deal of imiirovement and unless and
until that iniproveiiieiif ami appreciable improvement in the conduct of
the police is effe<ted, in my hunihie (»pinioii, exjiansion or no e.xpjinsiuii,
the money that will be spent in maintaining polici* will he <‘oiisidered to he
a huge waste ot pul)lic money and will ultimutr^ly defeat its own purpose.
So I will urge upon the (irovernnient to devise effective measures to remedy
the defects, raise the moral standard of the police, awaken moral conm‘ious-
ness within them and lastly, in conclusion, I would mk the (foTernmciit to
fake draatic measures to insue warnings in the strictest terms to the higher
officers of the police to mend their ways so far as their iiidiscriirnnufe
defence of their subordinates i.s concerned, ami to make extruordiuarv pro-
visions for drastic measures against the police of the lowt-r rank that go
out in the name of law and order and perpetrate inhuman atro<;itie« over
the dumb millions of the rural areas who nave long l>een groaning under the
tyran^iy of the police.
With these words I supjmrt ilie main motion.
Mr. HARAN CHANDRA CHOtH OHOWDHURYs Mr. Sneaker, Sir,
the district of Noakhali has not escaped the general state of lawlessness now
prevailing in diFerent >arU of Bengal* Hindus of the Noakhali district
16
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[23ed Sept.
m
fonn a very small nunority. Alm^t everywhere in the district of Noa-
khali a sprinkling of Hindu families will be found living scattered ant]
isolated from one another, surrounded by hundreds of Muslim families.
The tension of communal feeling in the district of Noakhali reached its
climax after the recent happenings in Calcutta. Every Hindu in the dis-
trict feels absolutely helpless and insecure and apprehends danger every
moment from the rowdy elements of the majority community. In addition
to newspaper reports the spreading of utterly false and unfounded rumouig
deliberately planned and engineered by a set of mischief-mongers has madf
the situation still more worse.
On the “Id” day, these mischief-mongers seized the opportunity the
“Id” congregations throughout the district and openly incited the illiterate
Muslim musses to violence. The nature of the rumour was also vinifonii
throughout, namely, that thousands of Sikhs have been imported by the
Hindus who are butchering the Mussalmans and marching forward, that
Mussalmans have been murdered in the neighbouring mosque by the Hindus,
etc. At this, the infuriated and illiterate mob in their thousands lan out
of their houses with deadly weapons, surrounded or raided a large numliei
of Hindu houses in different areas of the district on the plea of finding (»ut
the Sikhs. Several Hindus were murdered, many more were injured, and
A few' are still missing or lire suspected to have been murdered. Stray
cases of loot and assault are numerous. Hindu shops of several bazars bav’t
beei^ looted. Desecration of temples and idols are also taking place.
Journey by boat and road has become unsafe. There have been cases wberc
passengers were waylaid, assaulted and looted of their projierties ami
subject to oppression and indignities. In some areas Himliis have left
their ancestral homes and migrated to other areas of the district, f’asei^
have been reported of forcible conversion and attempt at (‘onversioTi tc
Islam. BiisinesHmen and dealers in rice, paddy or (‘lothes dare not cairy
their goods from one place to another. As such in these days of shortage
and famine the sufferings of the poor people can better be imagij^ed than
described. There are no doubt saner elements among the people and amon^
the followers of the Muslim League, but thev cannot control the funatical
section of them. Unless and until the jieople are assured of their safety
and the local authorities are determined to bring the offenders to book, tlu
perpetrators of such heinous crimes will go unpunished and the situatior
in the district may be completely out of control. Instances are not rare
where the Hindu vic'tims did not dare lodge any information to the |)oIict
and even w’here the pcdice were duly informed, tlie reports or statement!
made by them wTre subseciuently withdrawn or contradicted under threat
of murder. While interviewing with the District Magistrate of Noakhali
on the 12th instant I w’as told by him that in spite of repeated requisitioning
no additional force was available in the district and that it was therefore
difficult for him to maintain law and order. It is not known to us if any
steps had been taken. This is, after all, a deplorable state of affairs.
Hr. FAZLUL KARIM : vertv?, wtlv a ^ci fVf m ’tfifl
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Mr. IRE AKER ; wfkn mcTf, i
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Id46.}
DEMAND FOR ORANTS.
241
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Mr. SPEAKER: He is speakinj^ on the main deinan<l.
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DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[23kd Sept.,
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MPi ALI AHMED KHAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it i^ disadvantageoui
for a member of the GoTerument side to discusn and criticise a budge
iiitrodueed by Government for consideration of the House. Still, however
I cannot check the temptation of speaking a few words regarding the Polici
budget as introduced for discussion on the door of the House this afternoon
Ks. d,45,8(>,000 ha.s been estimated to be the cost of maintaining tk
Police for the currelit financial year. I shudder to think what a big amoun
of public money is mis-spent annually on the different heads of Polic
budget. The jK)lice administration in Bengal is a ’‘hell*' in comparisoi
with police administration in other parts of the world. The quality an(
quantity of Ptdice in Bengal are much below the standard. The tjovern
meut ought to have made provisions for the improvement of their standard
and better training, especially on moral lines. Better people must b
recruited on a better sw^ale of pay who should be given better training oi
similar lines as in Kn^lanck and for that purpose some (^cers may he sen
to Kurland for receiving their own training, who can be best utilised fo
impaniug better training to our police in Bengal, in schools for nei
recruits and in casual centres for the old ones.
Sir, one has to hang down his head in shame when one surreys the coo
duct of the police here in Bengal from various standpoints. We have seei
in the past «• well as dming Hte recent disturbances in Calcutta and abroad
DEMAND FOB ORANT8*
Ml
tile police miserebly failed in tbeir duty to maintain peace and older and
to save the lives and property of the people, who were killed in thoiaaands
and their haiises and properties burnt ana looted.
In the ordinary course of their duty quite a large number of police,
with We exception of a few, often giisuse their jaiwers and privileges some*
times in utter disregard of the Ihdice Regulations, Bengal, and other exist-
ing laws of the country, and the dumb millions do not get remedy against
them, rather they have to court insult, even if anylwdy venture to approach
the higher authorities for rt‘dreas, the sulKJrdinattHj are blindly supported
h} the superiors which is an o[>en fact. By this act of the superiors, the
subordinates are so much encouraged that they never hestitate to take to
corrupt pia<tices and tt) do anything tlie\ like with the litigant public.
They often forget the common courtesy and lead out mivsbehaviour to the
member ot the ])uhlic high or low. In>tancc> arc not rare where Railway
Police have shares ot tl»e hoot} tioni the thieves and dueoits who steal and
decoy goods from trains. So, the people have lost all (‘ontidenc© in the
Police. I do not like to cite individual instances ol corruptions, but in
.short it may he said that the j)oli«‘e departineut Is fully charged with
hrihery and corrui)tion whi(h should he remedied at once by a thorough
overhauling of the existing pidicc administration of Bengal. A hoilv of
cxj>erts may he appointed t<) tormulute a better scheme of administration
and an intelligence Branch independent of the Police Dcjiartmcnt may he
opeiu'd to keep vigilance on the pidice activities, on whose reporhi the
promotion and punishmentf, ot the <>tficeis will fully ilepeiid. The Pidice
Regulations, Bengal, also should he amended t(» suit the pro|Hised reforms
in the police administration, and to provide for adcipiate and liiglier punish-
meiiis for miscondm t and cornifitioiis.
Apart from the existing diseases in the l>ody-p(di(‘e, a new disease of
conimuualism has crept into the rank and fih* which also has draw'u the
attention of the lca<lers of the aociety. During tlie recent communal die-
tiiihamrs in different jiaits of Bengal we have got symptoms and pnad of
It. In (’alcutta, Dacca and Brahmanhuria we liavc seen Hindu ptdice
officers indi.scriininately arresting Muslims, as if in retaliation, and
putting them to immense iniMuv and then juitting them to hnjat, wdiil©
the inmates of their fiouses, males and female^ alike, suhjeet«‘d to endless
trouhlcN and ill treatment, A jmliie being a public * servant assumes the
rdlt? (»f public master in ordinary dealing with the public.
Mft SPEAKER: Mr. Ali Ahmed, please stoji. Yoiii time is ii]).
Mr. ALI AHMED KHAN: Ma> I pl< have one minute moref^
Mr. SPEAKER: No.
Mr. ALI AHMED KHAN: Mav 1 ]dease have one minute morey
Mr. SPEAKER: No, no. You may have half a minute.
Mr. ALI AHMED KHAN: Under the cirenmstunces, Sir, I would like
to say that the Hoii’hle Minister in charge of the Home Department ought
to have made further provision for an all round improvement of the Police
Department, which we ho|H*, he will make in the next year’s Police budget.
I would, therefore, request the Hon’hle Minister to strictly observe parity
in distribution of polh.e to eveiy place where jadice is required and also
to observe the same in matters of new recniitments,
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Mr. Speaker, Sir, ifitriffw
w «im wic*iffRi 4^ yceri i ^ wnrti iJdf
en«n cfd cs' c»i wctMi jwt nm i
( A voics : “No” ) fircatn ©iwi <1 wei ; wit ciwtt St^
wtii wm Wf em © r fiiy r g i i a©? ^ tf«i ct tfm
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
S44
[23ed Sept.,
•rwii cfr<ff ^cii cfWrw »Pfci
Cl CTO TOfi iici > r i r cm ! >^ i ¥f?i fin....
Mr. MUDAtSIR H08SAIN: I rise on a point of order, Sir. Tlie
honourable member has been rep^atin? the same arguments over and over
again, and I think he should not be allowed to repeat the same arguments.
Mft SPETKERs That is no point of order. Will you please sit down?
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Mr. Speaker, Sir,
Ills ijfim c^ ^=(1 fVf wtror ’vhtcw (yr^ c’tsm i
(7m i?ci?r ci ^rwi ?rc^ xcit «r c^rrif
iti I 'S’R f^?r <7Fm ? ^ nivn '®rmi ^ ci
it»R 1 w (Tft^ c^tmm irci, cmm itin ^ c^Ttror
'^1', 'S’JM cifp? fF!p fVn 53T f&f^l>i ’firs i t ^ i
^o/‘\o c^TtT wifnr'^ vtj to ; w^xv< ?iTi ’fc? ij^i it;^ ^arm^t nuf ^rtc-st;
mft TO <fm ^stTOi oTto; c^*>^tr53 to to
^ C«mf footpathu^ C^5T fi^3 TO TO TO CTO
ftif ^1 cim^i, TOm’ifi .q^ ir» toi 1 cri ’ffircTO
(TO rcu TO TOTTO ITOI ^PTfTO Hon’blo Mr. Suhrawardy itcTi
TOl ^^^(5 TO Cffl ▼fl-WTO STO RfTO ikcv f^f^T fVl
¥^TTOfl^f%11fflTOTO< ijTO TOTO 'if^f'Jf ifl TOTO Ft’tTC^I TO9 'i)3 froi
1C17 ii^TO g statement viirs TOto ci ci «nwi, ^^fTO
Cl TOl’fT^, Cl ^TOR TO Vir TO Ifllffl H l
ftfin ifci i-^^r cTOii statement ii fi-pi Cl c^ci c»nft, ci ^fRiTc^
f^fi I TOVrsti administration, iT^n CR“fi ^fi*f administration fiR fiR
loiftrs rc6B; to ^fi'-t at ci TO ci TOtlt tor TOff^ ci?* iirrft tor TOffey icn
icitTO icic^ I WTfi fiCTO TO clCT ir^TTrTO northern divisioni] i]?F
Ifl clc^ Deputy Commissioner appointed ic^ TOrc=n n i Inspector-General of
Police, OommissioiuT of Police, ij^r recommendation (TO lit iTt^fcn <7
recommendation 'iro n i northern division ij a^ ifcii «R] (TfR permanent
oflioor appointed vc^ TOifi i iiifwi nciir a^ cTO^icif ici f%ci j3C1
Mr. SPEAKER: Will you please withdraw the expression “ w?! uro
cron ”
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Sir, 1 am sorry, I mean
“ TO*t ntn ” I cit northern divisionii Deputy CommissioneriJi ^ici i
Oit TOTO l^T^fTO TOR FRi: I TOR IfCl ITCTO 1? lircTORI TCTO^, 1^ 1^3
ITV IfCTORI TOtro OTR ClfR Clfl ICRip ^llFTO ’^IrTO ICIT TOfrtfl^ >nTO TO^ 1
TO^finr IslTTl TOl ^fRTO CltTOCT flTO ▼ICST RTR n, CTO voteil? CWfCll TOl ^f^TTO
flTO ¥11 R1 11. VOte41 CTOll TOl BTOl TOf f¥ H TO? ¥11 R¥ H,
Clt 1¥1 VOte41 CWfCH TOl IfCW? TO ¥C1 f^R, IClJ ’tfllfi:! ¥T!!W1
CTO 4i; TOU TOR TO¥1 CRl TOJl'ffC’f mf9 4¥11 ITOT R¥ H I ¥TC¥t Wffl 4¥11 CWTf
¥C1 flTH ¥C1 l¥r3 IStt Cl 4l '^fTOl ICIT Cl 4t TO^vrfll FC¥C? 5S;f¥
TOU WIT ’itwcn eflidenoy ¥cic? TO wn iiw i R ^jlTOs ¥¥i>, fi^ ^ffTOg winl i
TOJitfinF \f% wtym tfiw igin irt TOTO civil service *ffTW TO ¥¥f¥i5,
wdmimstration TO ¥¥fwi5 1 4ir ¥firTOi irrcii STOt to cm ITO Additkmal
Joint Preeidenoy Magistrate f%f¥ 4¥wi ^wwTO. Extra-Additionai Joint Magistrate
^fC¥e 4¥W1 HWWTO ¥1W TO I
1946.]
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
m
Mr* SPEAKER* Mr. Chatterjee, pleaae confine yourself to the budg^et.
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: ^ firus ^ cf ^
*1^ "tPR ^»iti Wit? ?cfT Cl wiwtii^ * 1^(11 wm writ fc»f
*r#w iftio^—#nn 1 *^ 1 ' im ¥ir5 5R 4it itw
m I iisfii lit 10 ^ m itfrffinr ^f%i *t f i i t ^ n ifici. writ ¥♦wit fi tit ciw
irf'tir? « ii¥f^t iPR 3 CII irtTOi ♦rtn iprcii c^R to •tfci ^n, 4 it ^stiwir
iT*?TTi cWRi <Rtft«f ftfro *trcici 11 1
Mr. MIR AHAMMAD ALI: Hon*l»le Si^niker irwi. *if«iiiTcv^iTO’itc»Tt 5 ’n
?CTO 1 WRR irm c'tT^ Cl |'•^'R ciRi ITO ^'1 TsCitii ¥iiTi wij itiR Govern-
ment Cl S’ffi nrc^ 'tmi ^icn I 'itii i3ff5 vn ntw ircwt? nn i v«t
?Ftir^.ri3t? riiii3»j c^n Rcto. wi-iwiii vtv n wn wcMt w® citih
in Cl ’ifircm icir irirfR cw fwi ciiif vn vcto ; ®Tiit cii"t *
cvi*^ c^TTcn iciT «nninii to i ^fi wrfi irfi tfTci iftci icif®. cicifi fr^ ymiRcwi icit
CirRflCII oR It?. II oR? I ^IRR 1^ flClR 5iyiit ¥ll ITIC^R Cl
S. D. 0. fi'iiRi iirR ilirR ircic^i i ’Ofi vtfii tiiR'lci^ i^jIRR 'tir S. D. 0.
’tRTSnnr ircn T-rcifk^ 41 • 'ifi'pr ^ici y\^ a JVhcc CkMinnitke ▼citifi 1
(TITO Cl |l^ aRf 53 ^ ItR 3 rCIC!?l ®R IT 5 T CUTCI 11^11 CbH rF*! ICTRl^t*! l^f !I
ITR (bcICSR Cll't I ^R irrc^ >PfC?iT? Ilj ; Cl^R IIR C'^tT^RR II fVf Cit I 41^
'iRii ^RR^iri icif? Cl WI1 irsRfn ircn ^ir^‘i if^cii II I ijifci 'iRii f?*! fi»riR ^¥ra
iRcn, ^ 1^1 ^HVR ^|] cnRi iRfi I iRR i^cif ifi if*' f^fi c¥R definite
ciR ^tcn ^fc^i S. 1). O.’i fiirci, ’■rtF'c^i i«ii; 'iifi €rc^ fwii i^irn, u 1
rR if*^ n ■rRT«T withdraw ‘H-ii
«rtirc<R ii?RR attc'R 'ifa^i II ?fi, fi’i ifmwMa ci^ im
tpm 'ifjifiT |fll C^«R I ¥frwt *if C'4RIR rct6 I 'iTfl frll Btt H I WR WRfCW •[t W|
' o T CW 1R IIW*< IClfl^TO, irtfl UPRfirF ’jfnl ^ Wl fIli r CH I
5 Riti WIT irtci lit iR: KeHerve Oilieerc^ nU 1 WRTC¥ Reserve ottioer I»TIRR
Cl wR FI n, ilirci 11 ii?rr recruit (trjii fr 11 1 fimn wro iroici iTO
rnR-f*t (TTTif IRl F(.Ii®. TORI 'mc'TI I Wtf| fwsiR) wfl It^^l tJlR-litCW Cl TO
FC!>^l WR tfj 515^ Sit, ItRI <Tf TTM ^RTRI,WRlT^ H (RCI IR FIRl I iff
4TO fF*l I! IIIIR ^r^"R ^R-m FR ‘IIR TtFCI Wt'llRl fl^ flVR cfCW WR«TT^ WIRR T
ciFR '4 Sf^iTi IR f®R wrc'^r iTwrft frw iirfititw it:9nfl ^fir-n irt recruit wwii
sit WRR I ^^1 ItR! C^'C-t CWR C'4RIR FR II I M-JWII loll IWCft <lf»tCll
ipr^ ?FRCfl Cl 11 IRMl ^ifl it iJW W.1 fFW ^IRI'-fl, IIHR «»rRt'.TR IR Wtfl IR1
-iiiiToTR ^ Wfw WRR II example Wif^ 1 wtii fF*i ®rtc*^i fwgiRl ifi IRI IfCl
lf» ewS CWR TOI fw ITO TOI * nt IWI ^IIIR TOW TO I tfiR lit IFl-
TOi TO wRR Sit tfR'ii Cl 'jfil ir^R ill* ^liRRcw iiR^gfR fjfi cn recTuit
tor I ®TFn WRTRI C^IR fl^l, flFR ^f^lTR CIR WRC’I C'^tRlRf flRW H I
Mr. BENODE CHANDRA CH AKR ABORT Y: On a point of personal
explanation, Sir. TOR l^ TOC?R R Wfl Cl liCl wtft lie® 5 tr ci TOtSai ItOT IfCf
^rf^ prj ififi ; wtfi icif^ fFR-iniii wntitiriF nn itn itfw it!fR*rRT mrt 1
TO4I withdraw wiR iiTO TO II i
Mr. SPEAKER: I do not think any explanation is necessary.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAdUMDAR: Before the Hon'ble Minister
replies, may I invite hyi attention to a very grave matter. Several honour-
able members who adorn the Government benches have declared in thia
m
DEMAND POE GEANT8.
[23rd Sept.,
House that all members of the police force who happen to be Hindus are
communal and unfit to discharge their duties impartially. If that is a fact,
that is a grave matter. Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased to state
whether he subscribes to that view — I just thought that it is necessaiy
to draw his attention to that.
Tfm Hon’ble Mr, Hi 8t SUHRAWARpY; Government are relieved to
find that the usual criticism levelled against the Police budget that it is
over- weigh ted has not been levelled this \'ear. I find that criticisms have
been more in the nature of the inadequey of the police force and a demand
has hecu made from various sides for increasing the police force. » Cries
of “i\o, no” from Opposition benches.) Thi.s criticism has taken this vear
a somewhat more substantial form, but thev reter n(»t to any new incidents
arising this year but to the usual standanl of the ])o)ice forec. For
instance, it is htated that the police are corrupt, that they take bribes when
accepting diaries, that persons are afraid to file diaries, that the police
treat persons with indift'erence and contempt and so on and so on. But the
remedy to a very large extent does lie in the hands of public-spirited men.
I do n.ot say that that unfortunate person uho Inul to go to file a diary is
of such a position that he can speak against a jmrticular officer who has asked
him for money before he'cun file the diary or that the man is able to resist
any insults that the jxdice {jfficer may offer him, but surely there are gentle-
men here of the status of the members of the Legisiativt* A.ssembly who,
if they buiked after the interests (d their eointituenex , uoiibl be able to
bring to the notice oi the superi(u- otfieei" ami of (Tovernnient any laches
on tin* part of the police. A triiunl oi mine over th(‘re stated that 1 ought
to order at once that the police ought to behave theniMdves. -a 051
fwos drff VR ( 7 \ C5t IT? ^Tl l
That is the main point. What is tin* use ot sa\ing that an ordiu or rath(*r
a fiat be issued and immediately^ there will he retoimation. It has been
suggested by some peoj)le that they ought to be educatcjl in moral standards.
I think it is a little bit t oo late to edin*ate the exi-'lnig ])olice on moral
standaffls as if they do n<*t know what moial standards ha)>pen to f>e.
Then, Sir, the poli(‘e have been charged ^ith inactivity starting from
(hilcutta Jiod also to be found elsewhere. That is a matter which un-
doubtedly \iill bt‘ considered by the (hnnmission. M} tiieml here has
referred to an iucident which took jdacc last night. During the liots there
were hundre<ls of such imddcnts wlien persons, whole Imsteeit, have been
murdeied outriglit and yet the pcdice have not been anywhere. (Mr.
Diuhkmuu Nath D\ti'a: At d p.m. in the aftcrmxni and not last night.)
These matters must certainly be taken into considciation and. as I have
stated, even during the riots persons have been murdered in shoals without
any [Milice being available or any information having l>een conveyed to the
authorities.
Then a third item of criticism barf been also voiced from both sides that
coiumuualism has nervaded (he police force. What is the remedy of this
one does not know out a remedy has been suggested, viz., that communalism
will disapiwar if there is a proper representation of Hindus and Muslims
in the services and if parity is preserved. It does not mean that if a Hindu
policeman is unfair to Muslims in one particular area, a Muslim police-
man will be unfair to Hindus in another area and thus the ]>arity will bo
observed, but if Hindus and Muslim.s were t(»gether in the .same service,
then ex/irit de is boun^to arise and there will be proj)er treatment of
the j>eople and communalism will disappear.
Then there have l>een various incidents that have been reported.
Reference has been made to the Dacca riot and the manner in wnich it
and how it has proceeded. A member has stated that the Qarhwalli
poTiee entered the Muslim localities and routed them out or committed
of^reaeion upon them. That is a matter which undoubtedly we must taka
J946.3
DEMAND FOB ORANTS.
ttr
•eriouA notice of. Very shortly I am hoping: that I and certain friends of
mine — I hope the bononrable the Ijeader of the OpjKJsition will be ^ood
enough to accx>mpany us — should proceed to Dat'ca and try and see whether
we can use our joint influence for the purpose of bringing the state of
affairs there under control.
Then reference has been made to the ducuities in Mymeusiugh and in
the area between Kishoreganj and Bhairab and ht^viiad. rnfurtunately
this is part and parcel of the increase in crimes folhoving the llMd famine
and the cessation of hostilities. Ami the general incnnise in tin* wave of
lawlessness is always beyond the control id the baal ludicc. To give you
the figures today, althongli the situation toiIa\ is scum-wliat better compared
with Ifl4’>-4G, the figures are alarming when ccmiparcd to the pre-war quin-
quennium, that is to say, between Iftd.’i ami llldJb The following are the
figures in res|KM*t «ti munlers. 4bnM>ities, mbbtM’ies. burgalurii's ami riot-
ing:—
Instead of 410 murders we have 531.
Instead of 747 dacoities we have Iw\14‘J. There has been such a tremen-
dous increase.
Instead of 13,3‘J*J burglanc>. \\v lia\c ami
Instead of oSG rioting we ba\e
(Mr. NiH\KEM)r l)i ri-M \/i mimh : Many have not laa'ii reported.)
Many cases have not only not been reported, but wc an* on the serge of
something even more .serious ami, tlMMcInie, In <Min^idcring wind steps
should be taken to deal with the situation. 1 am aliaid that we hall have
to look ahead and not merely deal with the situation as apparent from these
figures, hut also with the situation that we find aheml (d‘ us. and which
re(juires not merely an increase in tlie police force m an im K'U'''* in the
elfieiene\ , hut public eo-opeiation. lu that point td view an attein]»t is
being made to revive villag<* defence partits and some orgaiiisations like
the lionn‘ guards in order to see wliether we can bring the inatt<*r umlei' con-
trol. The police force wliieh includes tliuuu stall' and anm‘d p4di4i*4ius
been found inadeejuaU' to cope with jliis crime wave. Mi'asuies liav<* been
taken to strengthen the police force, particularly in tliost* arcus wIhmc crime
figures are at their worst. As reganls ('ah utta I am e\ainining the situa-
tion afresh. I have no doubt in m\ mind that there slmnhl he an :mTeas»
in the personnel of the police force in (’aleutta and that" we shoilld have
more armed force to deal with the situation.
The mobility of the police fon-e bus beou increased by the |»ro\isioii of
a large number of motor vehicles ami the police hav«* been arim*d with more
up-to-date weapons tor that purpose. 4’he district headiiuai te:’s and cettaiu
h .subdivisions have also been linke<l up by iiieaii^ of tin* windess system.
As regards train robberies we iiiime<liately took steps to place pickets
and armed guards at the railway stntioiis and in ruiMiing trains iii.d the
crime imraeaiately decreased. We, also recpiested the railw.»y authorities
to restore the lights in the passenger trains. I had ho|)ed that the lailway
authorities themselves would consider the seriousness of tlie situation and
would step in and bear some of the burden of the security < hnrgt*H. I iiior-
Innately they have not done so and the proposals of the loc^al railw'ay
authorities have been turned down by the Railway Hoard. 1 hope that they
will be able to revise their orders ami will fda<'e adeijuate guards in those
places where crime again has l)eguii to rear its head. We have provided
armed guards in passenger and goods trains and armed patrol in the line
whenever necessary and crime has inalerially decreased. If there is any
suspicion of the recrudescence of crime, steps will he taken at tmee.
An honourable member, the last speaker, referred, in particular, to
Mr. Panaulkh, the Subdivisional Officer of Jamalpur. 1 think that it l#
niiiccgnarj lor me ako to my mie word regarding him. An hommfnbk
m
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[23iiD Sept.,
I(pntlemau here, a member of the Opposition, stated that Mr. Panaullah
^id not command the confidence of the local Hindus and took him to task
for what took place in Jamalpur. As a matter of fact the local peace com-
mittees of Hindus and Muslims have sent a letter of congratulation, which
has already been published in the Amrita Bazar Patriha here, for the
manner in which he has brought the situation under control. I am glad
to say that but for the personality and the hard work he has put in, the
situation in Jamalpur would have been very n>iich worse. I think it is
extremely unfair that a capable officer of that type should be charged with
inefhcieiicv merely because he happens to be a Muslim and that people
here should state that the Hindus have no <*onfidente in him, although the
lof‘al Hindus c(‘rtify to just the reverse.
"W'ith regard to the incident of Rameswar Baiierjee these are matters
which the present Government does not (‘onsidei necessary to reopen. I
am jilacing before the House the action that was taken during the section
93 regime. It appears that the jurors hy a majority returned the verdict
that the death of Rameswar Bauer jee was caused by gunshot wounds infiict-
'fd on Hie bead b> police firing ou the order of Insjiecdor Hammond without
justification and in whieh the police exceeded their power (d law. llicn.
Sir, on that verdict Government consulted its Legal Adviser who advised
Oovernmeot that the verdict of the Coroner’s Jury was pcrv*use and was
against the weight of evidtuice and that under (hose circumstances no action
needed to he (aken on the verdict. (Mu. Kikan 8vnk\h Roy: Who waN
the Tjegal Adviser?) 1 do not know. It was dime under section regime.
And it is not a matter which wc consider important enough to leopcii at
this stage while we are really in the midst of a much greater cataclysm
and we have to deal with it. It was therefore decided that no action i.ced
t)e taken on the verdict of the Coroner’s Jury. Government accepted that
advice.
Thereafter there was an executive en(|uirv as well reiiuiied li\ (lie lules
and it was held by (lie (commissioner of Boliee and i( was found on tiiiuiry
that (he firing was justified. Government have accepted tliut adviee and
they do iio( consider it, therefore, necessary to take any action :lgain.^^ the
officer responsible for firing on tliat occasion.
There is one more point, I believe, fliat has been raised regarding the
failure of Government to institute u public cniiuiry into the conduct of
those police forces and subordinates who tran.^gressed their power in (be
August movement of 1942. We have already slated on the flour of the
House (lia( Government do not propose to reojien the iiuestioii which is
already four yinirs old. I think. Sir, that it is just as well if we allow the
matters to lie.
I have been asked by the .sjuikesman of the Kurojiean Group wliether
we are going to entertain more armed police. Sir, it is our intention to
•do so. It bus been suggested by an honourable member that we should get
rid of non-Bengali jiolice and recruit from only amongst the Bengalis.
That has been the policy of Governmen] and we have been recruiting later
•on only from among Bengalis, but there are obviouslv a large number of
non-Bengalis in the police force whom we cannot obviously get rid of.
Moreover, a certain amount of that f<»rce is considered necessary, although
gradually they are beiug weeded out. In the armed police, in particular,
it may be necessary for us to recruit those who are more used to the use of.
arms.
We propose to introduce .legislation on the Bombay model regarding
payment of compensation. Sir, thi.s matter is still under our consideration,
but it may be interesting for honourable memliers to know that Boinlmy is
thinking of revising this legislation and using the Calcutta model
(Ijaughter). Sir, this is a matter which we shall have seriously to
s.*onsider. It is not whether the Calcutta model is not lietter than the
Bombay model,' Alter all, the Bombay model might be useful for sporadic
1946 .)
DEMAND FOR ORANTS.
m
riot but when it comes to the kind of riots or disturbancea or wax and
butchery that we have seen recently, I am afraid that no funds available
nt the hand of any Government can pimhly deal with them if tiovirnment
have to pay comiMinsation for any loss thus incurred. This is all that I
have to say. As I have said, nobody can consider with equanimity the
present condition of the police force amt the state of ita morals. AVe ore
indeed very sorry to hear tliat we have to accept the verdict of this Houie
on the point that a ^ood deal is still necessary for u.s to improve the condi-
tion of the police force, rndouhtedlv the wiiniinjj: will he noted, hut 1 tlo
appeal to the honourahle memhers here to assist (lovernment in reclifvin^r
any errors that the\ may tind in the local police. 1 can assure the House
that it will imt he our attitude to try and whitewash any complaints that
we jnay recei\e to take adtMjuate and projuT steps. 1 know that it is very
difficult to at the truth. T also know that 1>\ proceeding along the
old lines ot eiujuiry troin superior officers down io some suhordinate officers
it is not alwa\s j)ossihle to get at the truth. As a matter of fact all of us
who have been non-otli< ials not so vcr\ Iohl*' ago have suftered more or less
from the uatuit* of this kind of cmpiirN . 1, thiu'cforc, sympathise with
those persons who would say that attempts should he made t(» see that
superior officer*! are advised in the strongest terms to sec that they do md
attemj»t to whitewash any complaints hut attempt to arrive at the truth.
I think ill that spirit vou will fiml that (lovernment will iiaidily assist you
in every pos^ihle w’ay and we ho)»e that it is no u.se voicing those sentiments.
liCt them have c(Uicn'te cases and put us to test and see whether w'c can
di> '‘omethiug to improve the ('ondition of the morale of the police force
The motion of Dr. Protap ('handra Gulia Hoy that the demand of
Hs. •l,4o.S(i.0()(l tor expenditure under the head -Police” he reduci?d
by Hs. 100. then put and lost.
The motion of Dr Protap (’haiidra (luha Hoy that tlic demand of
ID. d,4o.H0,(K)0 for expenditure under the head **29 - Police” he redm'ed liy
Rs. 100, was (hen put and lost.
Till* inolKui of Mr. Xihareudu Dutt-Mazumdar that the demand of
ID d,4n,sr»,000 for expiuiditure under the heail “20 —Police” he reduced by
ID. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr (iaiiemlia ('haiidra Hhattaeharjee that the * demand
of H". d.4o.Sti.lKK) tor expenditure under tin* head “20-- Police” he n‘dueed
hv H". 100, was then put and lost.
4 he nH»ti«»n of Mr Hamhari Hoy (hat (lie demand of ID. 'l,4’),iStl,tM)0
for expenditure under the hea<l “20 — Police** he reduced hy H>, 100, was
then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Manorunjaii Dhar that the demand of Hs. d, 45, HO, 000
lor exfienditure under the hea<l “2f^ — Ihiliee” In* reduced hv Hs. lOO, was
then put and lost.
The motion of Hon’hle Mr. H. S. Kuhrawardy that a sum of
Rs. d, 45, 80, 000 he granted for eX|H*iiditure under the head ”20— Poliee”
w*as then put and agreed to.
^ AdJouffMiiafit
The House was then adjourned at 5-35 p.ni, till 2 p.m. on Wednesday,
the 25th Heptember, 1946, at the Assembly House, Calcutta.
m
[25th Sew.
Proceedings of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled under
the provisions of the Government of India AcL 1935.
The Assembly met in tie Assembly House, Calcutta, on Wednesday, the
25th September, 1946, at 2 p.m.
Present;
Mr. Speaker (the Hou’ble Mr. NriiUL Amin) in the Chair, 8 Hon’ble
MiiiistiTH and 198 Members.
Point of Privilege.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, may I invite your
attention to u point of privilege?
Mr. SPEAKER: What is your point of privilege?
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, my privilege as a mem-
ber of this House to put (|uestion and get i\u answer from the Hon ’hie
Minister has been infringed on a very grave orea.sion and in ver\ extra-
ordinar\ circumstances. Cnder rule ‘24, as you are aware, Sir. a meniher
in order to receive an answer to a question that he may wish t(> put. .
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Dult-Mazumdar, is this th(‘ jioint that was i.iNcd
on the da> vvh(*n (he Deputy Speaker was ]»residing?
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: No, Sir It is a mu point.
I have receiviMl a communication from the AsM‘nil>l> Dcjiartimuit , with legard
to a (juestion, and it is in relation to that. You ar<* aware, Sir. that under
rule 24 a imunher has to give 12 days' notice in ordiM tt) Ix’ a))h* to get an
answer to a (question put hy him. In respect of a (jueslion intemled lo be
put at shorter notict* .\our consent is needed and then the consent ot the
department concerned. I handenl in a (juestion to you. Sir. on the Idth
August, 194(1, relating to a very urgent matter. You w'cre good enough
to inform me hy a letter, dated the I4th August, stating as follows: “that
the mutter was sent on to the Hon’hle Minister to ascertain whether he is
willing to give his consent”.
Sir, this information 1 got on the 14th and after that I raised tlie matter
before the House on the loth, reminding ,\ou that 1 hud given notice itt a
question inttuided to he answered at short notice. Hut 1 do not know what
happened to it. It was very urgent that that ijuesticm should have cfune
Up before tin* House ininiediutel\ . Hut no answer was given. At long last
I received a letter from the Assembly Department on the 2()th September
informing me that the Hon'ble Minister-in-charge rd the Home Department
did not give his consent to answer my (juestion at short notice. Sir, this
in rather extraordinary. The precise point ol privilege that has been
infringed is tliis. tliat if I am entitled to get an answer to a que.stioii wdiich
I »i>ecifi(‘ally put to the Hon’lde Minister ami which is admitted by you,
1 am entitled to get an answer within 12 days. If 1 make a request to iiave
an answ’er at shorter notice, after you have been pleased to give \our
consent, the answer must Ih* furnished at shorter notice or I must be inform-
ed in less time that the Hoirble Minister-in-charge does not give his consent.
But nothing of the kind was done and over a month has elapsed in the
meanwhile in spite of extraordinary circurastunces. The House met several
days after 1 had given my notice of a short-notice question intending that
the answ’er should be given in less than 12 days' time, as expeditiously as
possible, and over five w’eeks were allow'ed t(t elapse without any response
from the Hon'ble Minister concerned. I submit it is a xeij serious infriuge-
nient of a member's privilege under rule 24. Besides, 1 must draw your
attention to thia fact that the right of patting queation is valuable also on
im.]
POINT OF PRIVILKGS,
m
public policy. It was a matter of grreat public importance wbicb related
to the subject-matter of my question, and I find that all this time has gone,
Mr. SPEAKER: May I point out, Mr, Dutt-Masumdar, that in this
case, acf'ording to you, the matter was mentioned on the 15th August, and
you probably remember that after the 15th August we did not meet till the
12th of September.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, I made a mistake. The
matter was mentioned to you not on the 1 5th hut on the 14th of August.
We met on the 15th August. But, Sir, here with your permission I would
like to remind you that my tjuestiuii related to an ejuergenry, and where
an adjournment motion is not admissihle it has been the privilege of this
House to bring in such matters hv short-notice (piestioii ; and here this
matter related to the question, as you admitted, Sir, ns tf»llows:
Mr. SPEAKER: I am not concerned with the <uhject-matter of the
question.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: 1 am not going into the
subject-matter of the (piestion. but the time was of tlu* essence in respect
of this question. Here one particular point wa> asked, wlien we are in
possession of certain things, what precautionary no'nsures. if any. have
Government in contemplation to take to maintain tlie peace and tranquillity.
This was asked. Sir, on the 13th. It was brought to your notice on the
14t}i. You were good enough to forward it on the 14lh to tlu* department
concerned. I submit, the (lepartment should have given the considenitior
and should have weighed the gravity of the situation to consider whetliei
there was any such likelihood as suggested in the (juestion. If, I submit,
as a matter of public policy my privilege had not been infringed and if thif
(juestion had been answered in due time, the vrliole IIouMe and the Proyincf
of Bengal might have been forewarned of the breach of peace and trunquillif)
and of the untoward happenings on the Kith. That was tlie subject thal
related to this question. So by infringing my privilege as a member o
this House tlie department has not only done a grossly unfair thing hut T
has prejudicially affected the public interest on a matter of grave publi(
policy. It has deprived the House of the constitutional i»rocedure o
ventilating the matter and forewarning the public in taking precautionar:
measures in the interest of public peace and tranquillity. Sir, that heinj
my point of submission, I ask for your ruling on this point as to how ou
privileges in the first instance may he safeguarded against wanton infringe
ment by the department concerned and secondlv, Sir. on matters of grav
public importance and as a matter of public policy how this precious righ
of the inemlaTs of ventilating through this Ilou.se by means of puttiu|
short-notice questions may he ensured so that it may result in public henefi
and averting unhapyiy eonsequmices by taking timely action and notice e
grave matters of importance. That is ray point.
Mr. SPEAKER: So far as the rules go, I do not find that there is an
pow’er with the Chair that can compel the Govemraeni to give reply to
question either with short notice or with long notice. One remecfv is thi
that these rules have got to he modified and some powers vested in th
Chair. The second remedy is those which have already been provided i
^he rules by way of adjournment motions and by way of no-confidenc
motions against the Government. Beyond that I do not think there is an
other remedy which I can think of.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: It is open to you, $ir, I
bring to the notice of this How such lapses on the part of any departmei
in time. It is quit* open to you to say that a short-notice question receive
your consent, but the department concerned failed to signify its oonsei
within the time whioh is implicitlT provided in the rules. In that case il
House mey consider its own helpiesneM, that we are at the tender mere
m
DEMAND FOE flEANTS.
[26th Sbpt.,
of the department concerned and that they are not bound by any rules nor
obliged to honour any healthy rules or tradition. I suggest, Sir, that at
leant it lies within your power and you will be pleased to consider to bring
to the notioe of the House where things are not taken sufficient notice of by
the department concerned. If the department concerned — here the Hon’ble
Minister-in-charge of the Home Department is involved — if, Sir, with your
permission he likes, he may perhaps help you and this House by explaining
why such a serious lapse takes place on an occasion like this which resulted
in grave misfortune and consequences for the public life of Bengal.
Mr. SPEAKER: I have already said what I had to say. If the Govern-
ment think it necessary and proper to say anything, they will look after
themselves.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT«MAZUMDAR. It shows that Government
liave nothing to say. This is suppression of public rights.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
54— Famine.
[The debate on the demand for grant under the head “o-t — Famine" was
resumed in continuation (»t the debate held (»n the 21st September, 194f>, ]
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Martuza Heza ('howdhury was in possession of
the House.
Mr. MARTUZA REZA CHOWDHURY: Mr Speaker, Sir, for the
purpose of relief and rehabilitation the whole Province should be divided
into two different units, namely, Calcutta and Bengal Districts. In both
the units the four classes of peojde us mentioned previously are in existence:
(1) Relief and Rehabilitation Dt»partment should have the scde charge of
the task of food, shelter, clothing and education. The Relief and Rehabilita-
tion Department must make adequate provisions to give vocational and
educational training and to make suitable arrangements of land and occupa-
tion for the middle-class affected people, (2') It must be the work of this
department to make necessary arrangements to educate the orphans,
destitutes and dcwserted children up to a certain stage. After the education
is over it will also be the duty of this department to give suitable employ-
ments to them ucc(»rding to the education and training by way of rehabilita-
tion. (d) The third item of work for this department is to make necessary
arrangements to get back lands of the dispossessed rural population, who
have lost lands due to famine and its after effects. (4) The fourth item of
work is to make adequate arrangements for supply of caj>ital gocals and
regular supply of raw materials to the small artisans who are hard hit due
to famine and day to day economic scarcities.
With a view to give a concrete working .shape of the above central
acheme in a detailed and elaborate way throughout the whole of Bengal
including Calcutta it is of utmost necessity and highest priority importance
that the Relief and Rehabilitation Department should be thoroughly
reorganised being quite alive w'ith the community interest with all juvstice
and fairness. Tiie whole administrative machinery should he organised in
the following way w’ith due regard to the communal ratio.
(1) That the Relief abd Rehabilitation Department must \>e a separate
and independent organisation and all spheres of work in connection with
relief and rehabilitation musf come under the direct control and supervision
of this department.
(2) Director of Relief and Rehabilitation must be a Muslim. He must
get [the rank and status of Secretary.
(3) Under the Director there must be three posts as Deputy Directors,
namely, (a) Deputy Director, Belial, (^) Deputy Director, Bemibi]itatio&,
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
m
1946.]
und (e) Relief Ck)-ordination Officer. 'flies»e three officer« will be under tile
Director for the purpose of assistinft him specially in the spheres of reliefs
rehabilitation and co-ordinaticm, respectively.
The most important task before the Hoirble Minister-in-eharge is that
the communal quota must be okserved in all spheres of activities of this
Department. During the regime of section Muslims were hopelessly
neglected by Government officials, whereas more than 8(1 per cent, of Govern-
ment money has gone to Hindu hands. Although the Muslims of Bengal
are the most down-trodden economically, during the crisis they did not get
their legitimate share of Government relief. As a mutter of fact Muslims
(»f Bengal are cent, per cent, aftected. The main reason of this sort of
persecutions and downright denials of Muslim interest is that the whole of
this department is being controlled and run hy non-Muslim officers. Fn>m
Director downwards to the Belief Co-ordination Officer, including the
subordinate officers and other clerical staff, almost all arc non-Muslims and
the Muslim quota will not be more than lo per cent, of total strength.
It can be easily found out that all the key posts are being engaged by
the Hindu and non-Muslim (►fficers. Under the supervision oi Hindu-
controlled body if Muslim organisations go for relief their cases always
remain in the pending file, whereas the major portion of Government money
goes to Hindu organisations. Relief ('o-ordination Oliicer, Uuleutta, is in
entire charge of relief and rehabilitation oi Calcutta including the bustees.
During the last two or three years of administration as many us thirty
Hindu organisations got help from the Relief (’o-ordination Officer to run
the non-official relief organisations, whereas the Muslim cases are wilfully
ignored with tlie exception of Muslim Welfare Society (Uganised by Justice
and Mrs. Khumlker and till recently the Ualiutta District Muslim League
Relief ( ommittee. After hard toils of lust two years Calcutta District
Muslim League Relief (ommittee, the only fortunate Muslim Relief
Organisation, has become successful in getting lump sum grunt of
Rs. 7, odd jjiily seven days before the installation of present Ministry. In
the circumstances it is absolutely necessary that a thorough reshuffling of
the department should he made at once. Hence strong Muslim officers,
such as Mr. H. S. M. Ishaque, l.(\S., us Directcjr, ano other officers in
alternative key positions, must be posted at once and thereby save Muslim
Bengal from further sufferings.
To add to the miseries of the suffering, the communal riot in Calcutta
has given shocking hh»ws on the emergency Muslim Relief Organisation
During the Great Calcutta Killing it was found all on a sudden that som«
non-Muslim I.(J.S. were installed in the emergency relief measure to dc
great justice towards their own communities as if the Cabinet Mission hai
given them chance to play the part of British-Bania n)le, in an organised
manner. So, the poor people remained absolutely at the mercy of one Hindu
I.C.S. officer where the Muslims did not get any justice in regard t<i
emergency relief. It is quite known to everybody in ( alcutta that Anjuman
Muffdul Islam and Park Circus Muslim Relief (.’ommittee are the heal
organisations which rendered yeoman’s service irrespecAive of caste and
creed during the crisis. But unfortunately due to the Hindu regime ol
Emergency Relief Control they did not get rations for a large number oi
refugees up to the 2Uth August though 1 understand that the Chief Ministei
ordered one Mr. Ghosh of Civil Supplies Department to supply ration to th<
said organisation on the 17th August. Since then up till now the Emergency
ReRef is being controlled and run by non-Muslims by flagrantly denying
the order of Hon’ble Minister, Relief, that the functions of relief ant
rehabilitation should be handled by the Relief Directorate including thi
Relief O-ordination Office and its staff who are in charpe of Calcutta relie
during the normal times. We have enough of this Hindu rule under th<
shade of British Imperialism and we must cry halt to this sort of grosi
injustice committed on the poor Muslims and Hon’ble Minister, Relief
DEMAND FOE GRANTS. [25th San.,
must take up the relief matters with an iron hand to make an end of these
British-Bania clique on which the Hindus are trying to take the meanest
eort of advantage on Muslim poverty.
m Hon^ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: Mr. Speaker Sir, I
am sure that the honourable members would like to know the details of the
provision of the Famine Budget, and they are us follows: —
Rs.
(1) Salaries and establishment
(2) (Gratuitous relief
(^1) Miscellaneous (Test works)
(4) Rehabilitation programme
52,19,000
1,09,50,000
35.00. 000
93.00. 000
Under the head “Salaries and establishment ’’ the expenditure on account
of (1) isolated workhouses and orphanages, (2) Emergency Famine Belief
Hospitals and (3) Salaries of staff employed on relief work and contingent
charges, is Imoked. A sum of Rs. 10 lakhs has been provided for isolated
workhouses and orphanages. At present 44 isolated workhouses and 61
orphanages are functioning. The number of j)eople getting relief from the
workhouses is 4,497 while the number of inmates of the orphanages is 4,540.
The orphanages are being run purely on temporary basis as it is the accepted
policy of {Government to transfer tlu* orphans to permanent orphanages us
«oon as they are set up. Sixt\ -eight permanent orphanages have been set
up upiil now, of wdiich eight are State and the remaining 00 are aided
institutions. Most of the isolated workhouses were set up to house the
destitutes affected by the famine of 1943. Turning to the medical side 1
may mention that many of the Famine Relief Emergency Hospitals set up
after the famine of 1943 hav<* been considerably improved and ]»ut on a
permanent footing as part of a comprehensive plan for the provision of
medical services in rural areas. The expenditure on this item is met from
other budget heads. A provision of Rs. 25,00,000 has, however, been made
under the head “54 — Famine” for providing 2,000 additional beds to cope
with any emergency that may yet arise in the districts.
To meet the cost of establishment and contingent charges a provi.sion
of Rs. 17,19,000 has been made. Expenditure on account of transport in
connection with the distribution of relief supplies and the payment of the
appropriate commission to dealers undertaking on behalf of Government
the operation of cheap grain shops will be met from this head.
Honourable members will have observed that the provision under the
head “Gratuitous Relief” is more than double the actuals of 1945-4ti. The
explanation lies in the additional burdens laid upon the department during
the current year by a euccession oi events. As a general background we
have a more difficult econTimic situation resulting from the contraction of
employment and business activity associated with the war, and also natural
calamities in various districts.
These and other circumstances have necessitated relief measures on such
an extended scale. Gratuitous relief is distributed in the following
manner ; —
(♦) Cash or pfrain doles;
(ti) Milk and other protective foods to poor children, nursing and
expectant mothers and ailing persons;
(ill) Cloth, blankets, gacments, chaddars, etc., to the poor;
(iv) Free grants for house building purposes;
(v) Free distribution of seeds and cattle fodder;
(vi) Grants to union boards for credit to Union Board Poor Funds; and
(eii) (^hmnts to non^official organisations engaged on relief work.
1946 .]
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
A suni of Rs. 92,40,91)7 has Iwii sanctioned up to 15ih .Septemher, ]^6»
for distribution as gratuitous reTief in the various forms mentioned above.
During the month of August 1 persons on an average were rt»ceiving
assistance in the form of a daily dole.
The bulk of the supplies of milk now being liislributotl througli centres
scattered all over the Province are provided by this department. The Indian
Red ( loss Sooitdy renders valuable assistance in co-operating closely in this
scheme. Approximately 190 tons of powdered milk are (lisfributed per
month through 1,047 centres serving 71. (Hill selt‘cte<l undernourished
children and nursing mothers.
("p to 01st August of the nirrent ><‘ar tSS.OOll pieces of cloth, 24,000
blankets and ihtnithtrs and 4 ). 0(10 children s garments have been distributed
tree to the deservitig j»eople in the distiesseil areas. It is also proposed to
distribute free, before tlie advent of the winter, 0, .‘>0,000 pieces of cloth,
(,8.>,000 blankets and (lunhldrs and 2.00,000 )»ieet*.s of cliildn'ii’s garments
\v<»rtli ala)ut Rs. 10 lakhs.
As a measure of relief for that section of the population w'hich owing to
poverty cannot buy toodgrains at prevailing market rates, arrangements
have been made to s^ll supplii*'. in aeeordanee wdOi ration siailes at ronees-
sional rates tbrougb ( heap giain sb(>ps. More tlian a tbousand such shoos
jre now functioning and tlie nuinlxM of pi-rsons served is api>ro\imutel\
’>,70,000 persons.
Tp to 10th Seplenibei. Ptit), a suiii i>l IN. 2,00,4SS lias been sanctioned
for I lie piirjiose ol in*e grants tor house building. The amount is being
distnbute<l in cash or in building materials to deserving persons. It is
pro))osed to distiibiite another Rs. 7 laklis for the purpose during the luirrent
financial >ear.
One lakh mauiids oi padilv seeds were sanctioned for disfnhution free
(o the tlood-afleel<‘d p(*ople in (’hittagoiig to ensure iiiaximuiii j>os.sihle
cultivation aftei the recent fhexls At langmnents wei'e also made lor free
ilistnhution ot stiaw in Hankuia distiicl where, due to failure of inotiHnon
l.i.st yeai', acute shortage of cattle imhier prevailed in certain parts of the
ilist riet .
ruder the Bengal Rural Poor and riicmplo\ed Rtdief Act, jioor funds
have been established l)\ uiiiTUi boards to provide for iniinediato and urgent
cases of ilistre.ss ]><*mling the orgaiiisaticm of normal relief measures,
(iovernment makes an initial grant of Rs. KM) to each union board under
section 14 of the Act ami thereafter by wav of stimulus to local charity
contributes an amount eijuivuleiit to that cf>ntrihiited locally, Hul)j(*ct to a
limit of Rs. 1,0(M) per annum per union hoard. To dale a total of
Rs. 6,l0,0f)0 has been contrihutetl by (Jovernmeiit to these hoards.
Very Substantial a.ssistance, both in cash and kind, has also been
Accorded by Government to non-official organisations engaged on relief
work. Normally this a.ssistance is equivalent to r>0 j)er cent, of the total
expenditure incurred in this work by the societies concerned.
As has already been stated, a provision of Rs. 45 lakhs has beAUi made
for carrying on test relief works. I think the Hf>UHe is aware that this
relief measure is undertaken on the appearance of the first signs of distress
in rural areas and it is generally in the form of village works cxinsisting of
improvement of village roads and communication, excavation of tanks and
canals, clearance of water-hyacinth, jungle clearance, etc.
Iit‘t me now, Sir, say a few words about our rehabilitation programme
for which a provision of Rs. 94 lakhs has been made in the famine budget.
Out of this amount Rs. 44 lakhs is for (’entral Destitute Homes and non-
residential work centres and the balance, vi*., Rs. 60 lakhs, is for permanent
orfihuiiages. Thirty-six f 'entral Destitute Homes with a total number of
6^413 inmates are at present functioning in different districts. In addition
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
jfco these, four new Homes are proposed to be set up in the district of Bankura
and Nadia (two in each distnct) which have been badly affected owing to
faiiiire of crops last year. Thirty-eight iion-residential work centres with
a total number of 2,457 workers are also functioning.
Sir, I may mention for the information of honourable members that the
Relief Directorate has arranged for the setting up of a network of skeleton
Relief Units in the Province with a view to organise effectively an intelligence
service of rural economic conditions and to undertake immediate relief work
when and where necessary.
One honourable member of the Opposition has said that there should be
no death from starvation. I can assure the House that the Relief Directorate
always gives an all-out help whenever asked tor to save people from starva-
tion. Relief Directorate will take note of all the valuable suggestions
given by different honourable members, specially by Mr. M. R. Chaudhury,
and try to implement them as far as possible.
With these few words I commend my motion tor the acceptance of the
House.
The motion of Mr. Radha Nath Das that the demand of Rs. 2,89,(19,000
for expenditure under the head ‘•54— Famine” be reduced by Rs. 100, was
then put and lost.
The motion of the Ilon’ble Mr. A. F. M. Abdur Rahman that a sum of
Rs. 2, 89, 09, 000 be granted for expenditure under the head ‘*54 — Famine*'
was then put and agreed to,
63 — Extraordinary charges in India.
The Hon’ble Mr. ABDUL GOFRAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the
recommendation of His Excellency the (tovernor, I beg to move that a sum
of Rs, 9,75,77,000 be grante<l for expenditure under the head “Od— Extra-
ordinary charges in India”.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: Sir. 1 beg to move that the
demand of Hs. 9,75,77,000 for expenditure under the head ‘‘(>3 — Extra-
ordinary charges in India” be reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for moving
the motion is to raise a discussion about inadecpiacy and the unsatisfactory
system of distribution of yarn for fishermen and weavers.
Mr. RAJANI KANTA PRAMANIK: Sir, I beg to move that the demand
of Rs. 9,75,77,000 for expenditure under the bead ”03 — Extraordinary
charges in India” be redueed bv Rs. KKl. The reason for moving the
motion is to raise a diseussioiv about the inetiieieney, bribery, nepotism,
corruption and failure of the Civil Supply Department and the misery
caused by it to the people of Bengal, and the desirability of and need for
its abolition.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Sir, I beg to move that the demand
of Rs. 9,75,77,000 for expenditure under the bead ”(»3 — Extraordinary
charges in India” be reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for moving the
motion is to raise a discussion about the failure of the (lovernment policy
in regard to procurement and distribution of ri(‘e.
Mr. I8WAR CHANDRA MAL: Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand of
Rs. 9,75,77,000 for expenditure under the bead “03 — Extraordinary charges
in India” be reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for moving the motion is to
laise a discussion about the formation of the Food Committees.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Mr. Speaker. Sir, the cut motion
that I have moved relat^ to the rice procurement and distribution policy
of Government. When at the beginning of this sesaion we movc^ an
adjouiiimeni motion on the food situation, we gave a warning to Government
ihat the food situation in Bengal was likely to deteriorate in the ootning
1946 .]
DEMAND FOE GRANTS.
267
months. At that time. Sir, Government tlid not pay sufficient heed to our
warning, and as a result what has happened?^ Sir, just within a month
and a half it has been proved tliai our warning has come true. What is the
situation today? At that time we urged that unless adeijuate steps were
taken to counteract the dangerous situation, prices would soon go up higher
and higher and unless there were sufficient imports tliere would occur
shortage.s which might in some places at least lead to severe famine. Now,
Sir, at that time the Hon’ble (liief Minister in a Press Conference held on
the 2nd July, lb4(i, stated that orices were not. after all. high in the districts
of Bengal, andjie gave the following figures : He stated that (iovernment
liad purchased To. 001) inuunds of rice from Hunlwan at prices ranging from
Rs. 11-4 to Rs. ].)-S, the latter price being for tlie finer variety of rice;
60,0(K) inaunds of rice from Birbhum at prices from Its. II to Rs. 11-4;
55,OOt) mauiids ot rice from Dinajpur at Hs. 10-8 am) so on. Now. Sir!
what is the situation at the present moment. At a Press Conference held
on the 2drd Septemher. i.c., the day before yesterday. Mr. S. N. Ray, the
Additional Food Commissioner, revealed the following facts; During the
week ending .September 18. there was a rise in the prices. The average retail
price on September 18, was Us. 14-10 per maund in surplus districts,
Rs. 14-9 in the self-sufficient di.Htricts, and Us. 1!)-,') in difficit districts. The
Provincial average rose Ironi Us. l.>-8 to Hs. Iti-d per maund. He also stated
that in Manikganj, Jamalpore, Netrokomi, Bakarganj (Nortli), Nilphumari,
Tangail, Narayangun.). Brahiiianbaria, Farnlpui, Tijipera (Norlli), Tippera
(South), Chandpur, Feni, Munshiganj, Goalumlo and Noakhali prices
varied between Rs. 21 and Us. dO per maund. Now, Sir, that is the situa-
tion in the motussil districts today. There are several other mutters which
should also be taken into consideration. Since July last there has taken
place in Bengal a number of calamities that has .severely affeideil the food
situation. It has heeii adnuttiMi on all hands that tin* hum crop in Bengal
has been damaged very seriously in certain places.
Sir, next (“onies the flood menace. Flood has cauH(*d mueh damage to
agricultural land which are under water and crotis have also be(‘n damaged
by floods. I his eertanily has aflected the food jaisition in Bengal. It has
not been contradiett‘d b\ (lovernmeiit that there has taken plaee another
suicide at Netrokona in the last week. And, Sir, what about im))ortM?
At that time we said that unless there were suttineiit impoits th<* too<l ]K»si-
tion was bound to <leteriorate. Wc <lo not know if the (Jovernment of
Bengal have been able to setuie ^uHieieiit imports trom abroad.
Sir, tlie recent cut in the ration-quota in Calcutta proves beyond doubt
that the situation is deteriorating and is likely to deteriorate further if
sufficient steps are not taken even at the present moiiM*nt. It is well known
that when the rationing started the maximum amount of rice which could
be drawn by an adult per week wu.s 4 .seers. Then it was reduced to 2 seers
10 chittaks. Now becaus<> Oovernment have not enough storks it has been
further reduced, and redu(‘ed to an ab.sunll\ .•^inall amount, namely, to 1
seer d peas per week per adult. I need not make any comment on this
point except to quote from the Report of the Famine f'ommission itself
which in its second part staled that the comjmsition of balanced diet might
be something like the following: —
C-ereals . .
Pulses . .
Green vegetables
Root vegetables
Other vegetables
Fruit
Milk
Sugar and jaggery
14 0*.
4
J f
d
d
d
10
10
*1
tt
m
DEMAND FOB GRANTS,
[25th Sept.,
Vegetable oil or ghee ... ... ... 2 oz.
Fifth or meat ... ... ... ... 3 ,,
Egg ... ... ... ... 1 M
In the present context this seems to he a cruel irony that the Famine (’om-
mission have recommeiuled such a princely Hiet for those who are not even
getting the ahsolute minimum to keeji their body and soul together. Well,
Sir, if you look at the chart .of ration that was submitted to the Council of
State by the then Food Member to the (Tovernment ot India, you will find
that the scale of food rationed is not the same in all the important towns
in India. If you compare the scale of rations in Bombay, in Delhi, in the
eastern towns of the Cnited l*rovinces and other places, you will find that
the scale of ration in existence in (’alcutta conifnires almost in all cases
unfavourably with the scale ol rations that are in existence elsewhere. I
will give one or two instances. At first the maximum amount of rice allow’-
ed in Calcutta was f) lbs. That was in 1944. Tlie situation has deteriorated
considerably since then. At that time at Shillong the maximum rice ration
given was (i lbs,, Cuttack .V4 lbs., Sind H lbs., V. P. 5-4 lbs. wheat and
.V4 lbs, rice. Kven in the North-West Frontier Province, in Pefthawar, the
total rice ration allowed |)er week was 8 lbs. This ]>roves. Sir, that the
('alcutta adniiuisi rat loll compare^ most unlavoiirahly with most ol the other
towns now imt on ration in India. I wouhl not sav nioie on this point
except to state that llie nial-administration, bungfing, corriijition and
inethciency for which the Bengal (iovernment has been famous, or should
] say notorious, are again proved by the figures given above.
Sir, the time at my ilisposal is short and 1 would refer brietlx to one or
two points regarding procununent and distribution. When w(* moved the
adjournment motion we re<*ommended that this s\stem ot chief agents
should at once be ab(dishe*d and some sort ol monojiolN jirocurement, as
recommended b> tlie Famine Kn(|uiry Commission, should be ensured under
a real popular (lovmnment . Sir, untortunatel\ that s\sti‘ni ol chief agents
is still now in existence and with well known results.
Tlnm about distribution: the distinction between A, B and C classes
of rice still exists and it is well known that this causes immense hardshi])
on those who are said to have sufficient resources but in reality are on
stiirvation. These points have been urged on (iovernment times without
number but. as is usual with (lovernimuit, the\ have turned a deaf ear to
this demand of the jieoplc of Bengal, irrespective ot caste, creed and
community. We know' that this (iovernment and its predecessor was
responsible for .’lO lakhs of deaths ot the lamine year, and I can say w’ithout
any fear of contradiction that (iovernment has not yet given up that policy
of slowly starving the people of Bengal to death irrespective of caftte, creed
and community. I may conclude my speech. Sir, with a wuirning to Govern-
ment that the time will soon come when the common jieople, irresj^ctive
of caste, creed and community will rise in revolt against this slow grinding
and slow’ death and their leaders w’ill then realise that this thing cannot
(continue forever,
Mr« RAJ AN I KANTA PRAMANIKS Sir, the Civil Supplies Depart-
ment has done all harm and no goml to the people. Its record is one of
notorious instances of corruption, bribery, dishonesty and all sorts of
conceivable vices. Us inefficiency is too glaring to need mention. It has
failed to do one single acUof service to the p^Miple and it has failed to serve
the people in any manner wliat.soever. On the contrary it has injured the
interests of the public in all possible ways. Sir, its inefficiency has under-
mined the efficiency, if any, of other departments. It has set too bad an
example to the people. Sir, its corrupt nature is a menace to public
morality. The story of scandals associated with the working of this
department is too well known to need mention. Sir^ no popular Govern-
ment will ever sulfer tbe existence ol a department like this. Tbe first and
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
J^6.]
m
the foremost duty of this OoTernment, if they ever cared for puhlic interest,
would have been to abolish this Department. Hut, broad ^mblic interests
never weiffh with the type of (ioverninent we suffer from. That is why the
Government encourage this department and never think of even reforming
it, far from aimlisliing it. Avhirh i^ the popular demand. Sir, this depart-
ment is a dread to the peo[de. They feel acutely the existence ot this
department because it causes them inetmvenienee in diverse ways. If any
department is run with the motto of disst‘rviee to the people, it is this
department. Sir, the sooner it is aludisheil, the better. Its abolition will
bring a reduction of the total expenditure h\ six cn»res of rupees. The
S eople to that extent will he exempted from taxation. This is the universal
einand of the Province. Kven member‘4 belonging to the Ministerial Party
have censured the department in strong term^. This is sufficient proof of
the real character of the department which shouhl he abolished at once to
satisfy a popular demand.
Sir, with these words I ccHnmend my motion for "the acceptance (d the
House.
Mr. I8WAR CHANDRA MAL : Mr SptAakor. Sir. c*rci
’nnn Food Committee mw ^
committw wtfjt ▼Ti‘1 W
wmi =n I ^ tfriurf wttrtti
Food Committet* \ (Jovernment3^ ^ offioeri^i , fwf
(vrR' 5 I Food Committee? 4^1 re? Stirs i
r^tf^ ?nrT? c?,
(7^ frf Sit? 'trev i ?t?
^ officer?rt (7^ ’f ‘t? committw '4!^ TO
fVft^ TO 5?:? ijr? o? $? ^ . ^*tTr^ fhf^w.w black-
marketing VI T3R m "ire? ??? tft? TO 1 TOin nfro cn^
<4r?fTO wm TO 1 f^tiR (Jovernmentii?
TO’t TO ^ I tr^ TO TOHVt'1? ?T?1 C? ''ifr®
ffr^rro? vt?i c? '-si cw? 'ir? TO'I *tttBi
^1 vttan (Vt*r? Assembly TOftR ^n toti TOtrr? c^Wt^ic?? District
Board 475 c?R, 'iT5 TO?i orf:? 711 W7TT71 District Hoard 4 5 *nrf7 i
TO Govemment4? 4TtJi ^rf-tiTT fcTO c?, 4W?t? ?T? to to vi'l? to ?tr? TO CK?
fro m 71 I 4 f Food Committees C?T7 7? C7tw?T TO f7^trb-i; TO 5 71 i r7^nR
W?TO 771 Tfv 7rc7 15TTO TOl Secretary f^i President r? ir?i niTOM CTOC7 71^ 7?TO,
3T? C7^ 7t?T OTTO 7TO nOTV? Cbh WVVS) I
71 7TTO TOfTlS OT ^7 C7611 TO officcrOf ^7 075TO 7TO f“C7 OTl «7C7 TOf C72nf77 ▼TO
cftfTS TOf I rjp^ 457lfi TO c?, to ^rro wrro, 4frrcw »eize ▼?! i
Wtk^ 0^571 CTO. C7R C7 OT CTO TO7 C7t I W 71571 C77 C7, Htation4f:’3 VTB
^00=1 TO ^ 6 TO V TO 7C7 7C? TOI officorTl TCTCf, Contr«ller71 fCTCf,
district controllerfi fCTCf ; cTO OTi on^i Ttc^ t7®77 TO 7i TOTi T 1Ji Ttfif
71 I C7*1W 777 f7r7 TOl TO C7, Tffi^ TO^ TlT^ C^77 CTtW I Jif ▼fkl^ClS Tff
TlTlTCTl C7t7 fT^lt^ TO CTO TO OT:7 4t C7 71TO7 CTO fiif7 717 71, 777? 711
71 — 77^ black market4 R7 TO— 4 71 77 l 477 STfTO 7*^51^ 7171 OTI TO TO C7OT7
mCf 5TO, 7r7"l7 OT77 CTttl OTolC7 TO TfCf? TO OT 71TO7 CTtCTT^ C7 TOT wfTOl^ 15
*p 7 TO17 CTO erti TO 711 7lf7 cTO Bank47 TO connected— rtK
47tl 7TO TOl C7 ^ COT71 ^ TOTS TITO 71 | fW|^ 47 C7, IrO.OOCX,
klTO TJ51 Tlt^W ItCTl 1 <7 C7R 7*t*n f 4 TO OT TfffW 1 ^ ‘
200
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sbpt.,
(tfir m ntrf commtteecs wwi i Mr. Speaker ^c^prm
through f^nr ^?sTi Governmentof 5fftf cn, ^ €m
Tmi ?rn:^ cRi^ c^nm crorf^,
^fs c^r quota ’ftir ^ f^«r ^ i ’tl^
a, black marketij R«fg ^1Ts?n ?f7 quota?
jjt? ?! I cft?i c?cT black market rnr ? officer RRf , Inspector inspect ?r??f?
W?T RRT?, Preventive Officer 'irTr®— iit ??« ??? department 1^
bla(;k marketii cTf? in jmr? c^r? ?i black market^g
?f?, ?? I Government^]? Control Order control ’R? «m:?
^t? c? tf? ??, ^ffr T-iz^ '^r, Covr^rnmcn^'?’^ Jir! officers otr*?? «RJ^ black
market TOs 1 *£i^i At cu, '4f> ?vri? « oh i]i; c?ffff l^rvi vc?, f%i
c?lti representation 5 V 3 ?n 1 At^\ c?? fsf*! fcRTi ?r-H. f^rsTS callous R? ?t
?t??rJT I "r5?fi»i S)0 -rnTtw at? c? committee? S’t? c? (‘ommittee ?t?t?‘r5n:?
r sfli I
Mr. MUDA88IR H088AIN: Mr. Spt *aker, Sir, I urge upon the House
that the <lenuin(] be voted without u single dissentient voice. I have
already informed that we must carry on the King’s admini^itration. We
have take?i tlie oath of allegiance to His Maiesty that we shall be loyal and
we have further taken the oath that we must carry on our duties effectively*
So, it is our business, so tar as this House is constituted, to run the King’s
administration. (Cries ot ‘‘Hear”, “heai’’ trom Opposition benches.)
Anyway, if you sa\ tliut we should not run the King's administration, you
are a traitor, \oii will cfnnmit breacli ot iaith and oath wliich you have
taken. Therefore, 1 say that when this amount is nectvssarv to curry on the
administration properly and effectively, \\e have no other alternative but
to vote for this amount. Of course, you have c()m])lained that the Police
is corrupt, the staff’ of the Civil Supplies l)(*])artnient are (M)iiupt and so
the administration is not going on well and therefore tlie demand should be
thrown out.
^Vell, 1 beg to tUKjuire, Mr. Speaker, who are these peisons who are
corrupt. So tar as the Police is concerned, _\our .Mins, \our sons-iri-law, your
nephews and ail your relatives are on the Pcdice staff. So far as the Civil
Supplies Department is concerned, you are carrying on the administration
of the Civil Supplies Department. It is again your sons, \our nephews or
sons-in-law. (laiughter.) Take a census of the number of people who are
engaged in the administration of the Police Department and of those who
are engaged in the administration of the Civil Supplies Department, \ou
will find that the vast majority of these persons are your sons (laughter),
I mean the sons of the Opposition members and their sons-in-law and
nephews. (Renewed laughter. ) Money which is raised by corruption goes
to the pocket of tliese gentlemen. (Laugliter.) You ma> laugh but tlus
is the bare truth. Of course, if it is tlerisive laughter, I quite resent it.
If it is mirthful laughter, I welcome it.
Therefore, wlioni do you like to dismiss)^ Will you dismiss your sons,
your sons-in-law and your nephews ? AVho educated them.’' It is you who
educated tliem. It is you who trained them.* They are the brilliant products
of the Caleutta Cniversit^. It is they who educated them. Y"ou are
respou.sihle tor their corruption. It is not the resimnsihility of the Govern-
ment. In order to carrv on effectively the administration, the.v must take
some j> 60 ple or other, if all your people are inefficient, oorrupt and bribe-
takers. what can be done?
Mr. SPEAKER: Your time is up. Please resume your seat.
Mr. MtfDAiilR HOStAIN: Oue word.
1946.]
DEMAND FOB GEANTS.
m
Mr. SPEAKER: All right, one worti.
Mr. MUDA88IR H088AIN: I am stating hare facts.
Mr. SPEAKER: Please he true to y<mr word. You have said you will
utter one word only.
Mr. MUDA88IR H088AIN: Sir. one word is illustrative and not
eidiaustive. (Laughter.)
Mr. H. R. NORTOH: Mr. Speaker, Sir. Hefnre my party votes on
demand for Livil Supplies, there are several points that require clarifying
when the Hon'hle Minister replies to thi> ileniand.
Annouiuements from the (’entn‘ about two weeks ago indicated that
controLs over essential commodities w'ould lamsist only of .steel, iron, coal,
foodstuffs, cotton and woollen textiles.
The llengal (loveriiment, it a])pear.s to me, wants the continuanee of all
war-time controls inelnding tin* Hoarding ami Profiteering Prevention
Ordinance ami the Consuniei (cooils (Control of Distrihntion ) Order. These
lust two measures have hitherto stiHed trade along with import restrictions.
Import restrictions having been considerably ndaxed, there is now a
considerable flow ot eon'iunier goods paiiieularls from the Cnited Kingdom
and the neeil to perpetuate wai-tiine eontrids is m» longer justified. With
free trade ami larger impoits, there will be jdentitul supplies and prices
will adjust themselves in tlu‘ natural course ol tra<le eompelition.
Eigid control offers no solution to the econoiiiie problem of tnole and
those engaged in trade would consequently not only cease to (*xist but also
cease to provide a market f<ti the manufacturer and he a source of revenue
to the Indian exchequer.
I should like to hear a >late!iient of the Hon'ble Minister's intentions
with regard to continuing the eontrids over drugs and consumer goods after
the doth Septeinbei. So tar .is diugs ale eomeriMMl, tin* uncertainty of the
position IS already leading to witlulrawal ot supplies from the market and
blackmarket opiuations.
Notiet‘ has been given b> the Ilon'lde Minister-in-eharge ol Finunre and
Health and I.oeal Selt-( »ov»*niim*nl oi two lesoluiioiiH under sei'tion 103 of
the (loveinimuit of India .Vet nujueHtiiig the continuation of the existing
controls over drugs and eonsuiner goods by an Aid of the (Vntral l^egis-
lature. Tlie list of control h‘d articles inelmles articles of importance to the
ordinary consumer.
The resolution, relating to ilrugs was arduailv moved by the Hon’ble
Minister, but owing to protests from members of his own juirty, its considera-
tion was postiioned. We are now left in doubt as to how' G^*^^*^^'*^**^!*
propose to continue the controls. Will the Hoirble Minister also please
explain the position with regard to the eontinnaiion of the Control Onlera
over food and cloth surh as the Bengal Ualioiiing Order, flic Foodgrains
Control Order and the Cotton, Clotli and Yarn Control Order, all of which
were piomulgated under the Defence of India Hules? Is it eorreef that all
these Control Orders will he continued by C entra! liCgislation under the
recent ainendiueiit of the (loviuninent of India Act, or is it the case that
some of the controls wdll have to be eontiniieil by Provincial Legislation P
The Hon’ble Minister in his reply will no doubt review the food jKJsition
and give us .some iuditatioii of his future policy. This, we think, is over-
due. We W'ould in particular like to hear his policy with regard to con-
trolling the retail prices of rice. During HI4(i there Imve been considerable
fluctuations in retail rice prices causing hardship to the consumer. There
has been a slight decline recently, but the average retail price still remains
much too high for poor, and even middle-class (consumers. According to a
teoent offioid statement, in many places the price varies front Bs. 16 to
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
R». 18 per maund and in some places it is as high as Rs. 20 or even Rs. 25
per niannd. How does the Hon’hle Minister propose to reduce this price
level His only weapon of control is apparently the stocks procured by
Government, and, it is obvious that this year Government procurement has
not been adequate. What are the Hon’lde Minister’s proposals to ensure
a more adequate procurement in future.^
The Hon’hle Minister ha.s been in office for nearly five months, but we
have not yet heard from him any public statement on the food position or
any public indication of his policy. Press Conferences have, we notice,
been presided over by officials of the Department. There was a proposal to
form a non-official Food Advisory C\)uncil, but this appears to have been
allowed to go to sleep.
An official circular signed by the Secretary of the department was, we
know, addressed to political parties and other organisations, but there the
matter seems to have been allowed to rest. Public co-operation and public
confidence are essential for a successful food policy, and we feel sure that
the Hon’ble Minister could obtain this public co-operation if he would him-
self take up the matter a little niore vigorously.
To stop black-marketing, the local Government should press for the
abolition of the restriction on imi>orts so that there can be a plentiful supply
of consumer goods at controlled prices.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARY: Mr Speaker, Sir. us the
time is extremely short I shall confine niNself to (listribution of yarn.
Without going into the details of the s\stein ot distribution of yarn that has
been adopted and encouraged b.\ the departnuMit concerned, it ma\ be said
here that the prevailing ,s\Ht«*in is nr»t at all insepara])le from corruption
that has alrea<ly vitiated the I'conomic ami social life of tins unhappy
Province. Betore I level m\ <iiti(‘ism against this system. I like to place
before this House the method that has been adopted by tbe Government to
distribute yarn amongst tbe unfortunate j>oor weavers and fi.sbenmoi. 1
can inform tlie House that the weavers and fishioinen neve? get their _\arn
either direct from the mills or through the normal trade channel. The yarn
has to pass through manv inteiniediarv stages before it reaches the actual
weavers and fishermen. Fr(»m the mills the \urn goes to the tjuota-holdeis ;
from the (juota-holders to tlu* wholesalers; iioni the wholesalers to the
handling agent; from the handling agent to the suhdivisional wholesalers;
from the suhdivisional wholesalers to the suhdivi.sional retailers; and from
the retailers to the actual weavers and fishermen.
Sir, we, therefoie, find that the yarn has to pass through as many as six
siieeessive agencies before it reaches actual weavers and fishermen. This
system did not in the least facilitate the distribution rather the distribution
is dela.\ed and ini.sdirect^Ml to the black market in spite .of this hierarchy
of distributing fac tors. Fuitlier, tliis system pushed uji the prices of yarn
and consequently the cost of production ot hand-loom clothes and fishing
nets becomes much liigher. 1 am mentioning liere the rate of commission
which is allowed to the.se different factors of distribution and it will prove
tbe fact that 1 have just mentioned.
Sir, over and above the ex-mill rate the quota-holder gets ‘U ^ler cent.;
the wholesaler 7 per cent. ; the handling agent JU ^>er cent.; the suMivisional
whole.saler I |)er cent, and the suhdivisional retailer per cent. Over and
above this percentage the Suhdivisional Controller of Textile and Yarn
has a discivtion to allow’ another 2 pt*r cent, to the suhdivisional whole*
Balers and retailers. It therefore comes to this that the actual weavers or
fishermen have to purchase yarn at a rate of 20 per cent, higher than the
ex-mill rate.
Sir, now let us examine the functions of these intermediaries. Milla
protluoe yam. The quota-holders have nraotically no function but they
nuBt earn 3 jwr cent, though they are aWlntely idle in the process of
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
im.]
production. Then the wliolesalers j?et 7 per cent, for atoraj^e of yarn from
file mills. Then comes the handling agent, Rai Bahadur R. P. Saha, whose
only function is to ring up to the wholesalers to book the quantities of yan>
to the different subdivisions as per allotment by the Diieotor of Yarn and
the Director of Fisheries. If the provincial (|iiota is (i.OtM) bales per month,
this gentleman is getting Rs. tlO.OOO per montii without investing a ningle
farthing. The subdivisional wholesalers are t(* j)ay the amount required
against railway receipts. They really invest money and earn their one per
cent. The actual distribution is really made by the sulxli visional retailers.
Sir, in fact, these intermediaries have been created only to camouHuge
nepotism, whicli has become the main cliuracteristic of this Ministry. The
interest of the favourites of the Council ot Ministers is servetl by the metluMl
and not the interest of the pf>or weavers ami fishermen who are at present
on the verge of extinction. Sir. in my humble opinion, all these inter-
mediaries should be eliminated here and now and an easier method should
be adopted .so that the weavers and the fislierinen get the yarn promptly and
at a much lower rate.
Sir, regarding the despatch of monthly quota 1 must point out that even
the quota of yarn for June and July has not reached many districts of this
province though today is the ‘Joth of September. This, Sir. is a criminal
negligence on the ])art of the department concerned. There is not a hank
of yarn available at present in many districts and the pool wiaivers and
fisluuiuen have alrt'ad) been thrown out of employmtuit . Tiiey are starving
and their extinction is a c(*rtaint\ if niiiuediate arrangement he not made
for the sujiply of yarn.
Sir, I very much doui)t it tlie (Joverninent liavi* an\ idea ia‘garding the
neeil.s of the weavers and fishermen of this province. Is the (ioverniuent
aware about the crying needs of the weavers ami fishermen for yarn Y Is
the (loverninent aware that tli(*re is extreme ilearth of yarn in this VrovinceP
Do the ( joverniiKoit know that at present the total monthly requirement
of a weaver for yarn tor keeping a hMuii going i-. ‘J< Ihs. and tin* weaver is
getting oiil\ H Itis, j»ei month, that is. e\erY weavei is able to keep his loom
active only tor Itl days in a month and In* is to sit idle tor the remaining
20 days I*' I know that a scheme for (*slahlishing a spinning mill was sub-
mitted to the (lovernineiit so that yarn may he available at a clu‘aper rate
and in gnuiter (piaiitity for the development of the iiandloom industry. But
this proposal was turned down h> the (lovernnient on tlie ailvice of the
Textile Adviser on the ground (hat there is no dearth of yarn in this
Province, and if necessary, \arn nia\ he procured from Bomha\ . But every
one knows that there is dearth of yarn and Homhay yarn will never reach
('alcuttu. In this respect il may he safely concludf*d that tlie Government
cannot be exonerated from the respoiisihilj|\ of shelving the real issue, and
thereby bringing misery tf) tlie weavers and fishermen, and suffering to the*
people in general.
Sir, with these words I commend in> motion to the Hcceptaiice of th^
House.
Hr. AHAMMAO All MIR ; vPrJh itrtvfl, amcfl Civil Supplies Depart*
iiient47 wtw-rwsi. wrtrssnrsi rcilf ; ^ vrtwi c»fW i
iivt iipfppp deficit area snr i surplua
district ^ a wfir ot, vimi Surplus Districtii vtn wft i
yvrst ct, ww^n wwM'jr Surplus Sub. Divisionii wfi.
(Tit j fwi VOT wrfii wtfif, 4t Supply Department tpn W viw
fcicf w »rcwwsrf orm « ^ wfi
ciT5T^«fif wfi fcitw, cifcwi C4«f5t ci*r ebre^
Rtf fw Jiff' ^ vmi 41 cw, «t»»i vti fi fti itnin irci iri i
cwi *wi vw ^ l(¥ i w nfm tmi i
DEMAND FOE OEANTS.
[25th Sept.,
oi, 5ttor wP( wf: i ^rf^r JTf^ fe^-
mf^ ^ I wff? cw^ wtmfi ^ ?! i whole districts?
▼<n I ^ 3T7, <4TR «RTi ?rirr? c^r, c^ cfpf ^ ^ ^ ^
w <yfu5 ^ ^ c^ m Fft m; ^ tftrnr cffi ?rfi^
ifk TfTJ mQ FH ^ni armf^r^cT? f t i^c ? c^ i
^RT^sT f5rf?^T7r^ 1%f^ csrc^ ^ Supply ?fr5 ^¥T5
c’tro ^ ^ ?Fm ^^Ri ^ ?n ’ttriR ^FtTc^r ^ c^, <ii^
Department c?7<f c^ vfw !rcF5 ^n i <4?“ Department ««ffTf?r ^mc ?? C¥PT srf^
vm I 4^ Supply Department Tinrf^^T '■rW%i
Tna cffrs -tof itum 'ar^ ^nrfu*R Swr ?rr^ =n i f¥« c?f^ c^
4^ Supply Department 4CTO5 c»r^*f c«ri:T ?:t-^RT, '«r^ c*r<fi fJiTiR:!^i
^tw cw^ C4 JT’/a ics^ mm ftwcf i wc^r fVis ^ cftts
worBt Supply l>opartment. ^ 4^ ^«n ^ir? ^rn c^. Supply Departmentii
4 cm *jm m c^tt
mn(} =?Tt 5 TPrf?fc^ 4 ^ srno i;Tm
=lfFtt^ 4?:nfF I sNI-wm c^tf^rrir. rev 4^ 4r^, ot sr??:^ ^
^rsr^ 4 wq rc^ ^ jti i ^mw ^fr*R -sH^r fTf^r^c^ tf^
Tc^ I P-rcir (?r^rRTRr ^rr-Rp?tc>ry
4^^ 3T«R-5rft Jitrs c-^rt^ 'tc^, vi: ^rRi 'tre? ^ jy^a
I artfv sfr^t ^fjyttr¥ vr^jrfTcr? ^<n cf^ 4t ?cf^ » Ft^^
cTR c>i^ <R^? oT^i c-'flFfS/RR '49j; 4(tr? m irt:m< fi^ rc? c'^ ^^rfs
-•ffej; vz^] I 5rfR‘r ft^ rm CRr*nr ft^ ^i ^fFr^y ^ri i Fnltr^
1 Ft^?:^ imu to. tf^fT^ TO. ^T 0»“-f FtS^ 4iR,
4 m >[t7mj v(A] I 'arrfsf wtfR »jti:t^ Ft^^t^nif^ Rif’fin TORtm ^^tr5Tf4 ?n (’ommunal
Ratio Wi\ ■"TtfR^rR^ Fft 4 ? (V)mmunal Ratio Rule, Civil Supplierf De|)artment4
wn:i5 ^1 ? ’ttfR ¥R^4 ^Rvmc^f ttoi «
FfWt-R4^-rt^f% Conmuinal Ratio Rule4r5 Tif, ^ ^n^Tl ^«R l 4t>i ’fTO ^T5:TOF
c5Tn:'V< Fi=f^ (T^r. af^TToTO mR to cvw, «?>RR<>rR4 tot^ fVf ^f^an to i
C» it«fRi "srtfR fRfRiJfR 5t=T-'l‘fF m ''ic^' tfj toIftTr cr. Supply r)e})artment4
ewpF (\v"i sa^aniffR) FtR^^t c^CRC5. promotion C^R5? 5 Rf^-afsT CRTRTT cleifrado ¥^1 TOt^;
JVi f%«re ^ fv^R 4^9 c'fRR ri i ^ m [rcto or, ^»nrrm
<fC*W cTO WR^' TC< ^RtTTO faffR^W RFtCW 4^* f%fR RR®
tRFPf VCfl CR^RI '’RfRfR JTT 'FfTOT ^ I fRRTl 9T^, R1 TOTR,
Rtt I
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAM: Mr, Speaker, Sir, despite my beinj? a
member ol the (Jovernment Parly I am often eonfronted with the peculiar
aituatiou of havinjf to offer severe criticism of the actions of the various
departments. 1 will sneak a few words about this department. Because
there is so litth‘ in its tavour and so much apyainst it that I will try to g’lve
a full picture to this House of the workinp: of the procurement and distri-
bution system of the Civil Supplies Department. I want to draw the atten-
tion of the House to mal-«itstnbutiun of the Civil Supplies Department. I
need not go into the details of every item. I wdll just give only one instance
which will show how the mal-distrihution and the procurement system of
the C’ivil Supplies Department is sapping the vitality of the Bengalis, and
how it is becoming a growing menace. Take the case of mustard on.
Mustard oil that i| being catereil all over the Province can Iw
ohnraoterised. as iauslanl oil; it is everything minus mustaro. Khulna is
the worst snBerer. A certain officer has characterised Khulna as surpius
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
district with re8:ard to mustard oil. For surh a beautiful tbe»U be ougbl
to be g'iven a Dootorate. Khulna is a district where even two hundred
maunds of mustard oil is not produced throujrhout the year.
Nour a.s regards the system of distribution, in the mofussil there are retail
dealers who are mostly selected \>y Food (’ommittees. V{>u will find that
in riverine districts the retail dealers eome to heaihjuarters by boats fnun n
distance of 20 to 30 miles. You will agiee with mt‘ that if the same system
of rate is applied to a man coming from a distance of about 50 miles b^v
boat and to a man coming from a di'^tancc of tiv(* miU‘»i hy motor car. it is
bound to lead to blackmarketing. b^'cauM' the ineiussil dealer immediately
on drawing his quota will sell a (juantitx ol the mustanl oil in the town at
blackmarket rate in order to save his own skin. Mofussil dealer at the end
of his (juota hardly earns Hs. 4tt to Hs. oO. Hut lie has got to spend a lot
by way (»f conveyance charge^, liotel charges and hrihes 1() the t'ivil Snpjdies
oflRceis. These people are harassed h\ the (’ivd Supjdies otliet‘rs and nothing
less than Hs. 10 to Hs. 50 has to he given to (|j(‘ staff of (he Civil Supplies
Department each time th(‘y have to come t() tln‘ t'ivil Siippli(*s olHce.
Naturally the.se jumple will stoop low and ami will take rectmise to black-
marketing endangering the well-being of the community or the society as
a whole.
N(tw, Sir, with regard to the food coitnuittees, tlu'V are an irresponsible
body with no consolidatiMl method (d work ami no system 1oi siijuM'vising
their working. Once in a blue moon these food committ(’es were <'reut(*(i,
and IH' attempt has since heen made to oviMhaul oi i(*-»‘lcct lhes»‘ bodies.
When they first came inic* e\is((*nce people wen' not quilc consi'ious tfiat
these committees will e\(*rcise sm h a In'im'fidous influenct* on mir very
existence, hut as days arc pas^^ing. tlicse committee', an* assuming a verv
great n'sjionsihh* position. We an* ntterl\ smpiised t«> find that up till
now no mention has })een made as to when these ('ommittei's are going to
be iecon''tituted or impn»ved upon with a view to diiving out the interested
caucus and inqiroving the tood positnui in the towns and villages in the
interest ol the common jicoplc.
' As regards l!ie intcgiits of tlo' ilepartim'iit and ifs intention (o nunove
corruption, we have l»eeii ihung (»ui utmost hv V(‘n(ilating our tioints to the
best of our ahiiit\, hut the dej)artinent n*t\iHes to listen to our advice arnl
refuses to take an,\ active steps suggested by us. Whenever glaring
instances of corruption and hrihei\ were hrouglil to the notice of the lieparl-
ment several months ago, notliing was done. About 1,3(11) maumls of rice
was sold h} the District C<mti(»ilei of Khulna as dctcrioraf ing rice. It was
sold to a relation of the Distiict Controller at a K'duced rate who had not
had any bona fide licence. Hut when they were on the transit, the District
Magistrate seized this entire stock of 1.3(H) niaunds, and he refnseil to give
a permit for it.s being sent <»uf elsewhere. Tin* District Magistrate sold this
verj' rice at Hs. 12-12, that is, at the controlleil rat<*. So it is evidently
true that the officer who had pronounced tlu* stock to be deteriorating and
ftold it in auction which was surely a piivate auction as Hs. IM per imnind,
definitely cheated (loverninent to the extent of the <iiffVreni‘e between
Rr. 12-12 and Hs. (»-4 a maund for a (|uantity oi 1,301) niaunds. Hut the
depurtment did not bring the man to botjk and take ''Uch nteps as will dis-
courage offiiers in u similar position to d(» *-o. My friends over there think
that control order" shonld now he withclrawn. hut let me utter a word of
warning to the Minister of the Civil .Supplies Department that (lect»ntrol
of things like eenieiit and c(u rugated tin of which the demand is much
more than their supply will ^pell di.saster to the poorer sections of (he
jj^ple. If a certain article is all on a sudden decontrolled, and if the
uemaiui is much more than its supp1> . then the entire ({uantity will go
to the blackmarket J ike iteiiient and irorrugaUal tin at present. So,
as regards the decontrolling of any artiele, stress must first be given on
•nlEicient quantity of the article being available.
266
mUAm FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
Tilt HOfl’bU Mr. ABDUL GOFRAN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government’ ft
Pm uremenl Policy is to purchase as much as possible of the marketable
surplus. The total ]>ro<luce of the Province mav be in the rejfion of nine
million tons. Ft would be a i)hysical impossibility for Government to take
possession of the whole (juautity and redistribute it equitably. It can be
roun^hly cnh*ulate<l that a very larj^e proportion, perhaps as much as four
million tons, has to chanj^e hands in order that the w’hole population may
be fed. tioveriiinent does not possess the administrative machinery for
hunillin^»^ evefi that portion of the total and the present policy is to rely
on private trade to redistribute the bulk of it while Government itself sets
out to ^et )»o8session of tlie balani;y which may annmnt to anything? from
(>00,000 to a million tons according to the crop results of the year. This
quantity, together with st)me assistance from outside the l*rovince is
expected to enable Government to control the market by making supplies
to those whose requirements would otherwise be a big drain on the open
market, and to make distribution in deficit areas which may temporarily
run short before private trade can come to the rescue and in overall rationed
areas, lly this control of the market it is expected that prices can be kept
at a reasonable level and private trade can continue to satisfy tlie needs of
the majority of the people.
The present policy is to ])ersuade holders to sell surjilus stocks voluntarily
to Government. The julvantage is that .so long as the> have sufticient
incentive to do so, tlie> play iin important jiart 1)\ themselves moving stocks
from the interior towards rail hea<ls, and Government is largely relieved
of what W(»uld otherwise be a ver\ .seiiiOiN prohhmi, viz., to set up an
adequate organisation for fetching stinks Irom the cultivators’ doorstep. If
such an organisation were jit tempted ami were not perfected, there would
be H real ilanger that ]»roc,urement would be slower, and the total (juantities
])rocured less, than umler the jmcsent voluntary .s\.stem.
Although sales to Government are at pre.si*nt said to 1 h‘ on a voluntary
basis, certain measures have been adopted as aids to procurement w'hich
have an imliiectl> coersive effect. The most important of the.se are—
(o) The Bengal Rice Mills ( ontrol Onler which requires Rice Mills to
sell their prodm ts onl> to (iovernment.
{ft) The Bengal Food Grains (’ontrol Order, UGo, which is tlesigned to
keep the administration infornH*d of the activities of dealers, large producers
and carriers and of the (juantity and whereabouts of stocks held bv tliem
and to enable Government to eontnd any activities which might reduce its
own procurement prospects.
(r) The Knibargo Onler forbidding export of rice and paddy from poten-
tial procurement areas. This order is designed to limit ex|)ort from areas
believed to have a marketable surplus, .so (bat competition is reduced and
prices kept down, with the result that most of the marketable surplus finds
its way to the Government procurement agencies and Government is able
to tran.sfer the stocks to the area.s in which they are most required from time
to time. The effect is, therefore, control and distribution at a reasonable
price, whereas if no embargo order existed, traders from deficit areas would
tend to invade areas which had the largest .surplus, an<l therefore the lowest
price, from time to time, thus causing the price to rise inordinately. The
stocks they might thus acquire at continually rising prices, they would in
turn have to sell at higher price.«», and they would also he tempted to hoard
the stocks after acquiring taem in order to speculate.
{(i) The Bengal Foml Grains (Movement) Control Order, 194*1, which
forbids export of rice and paddy from the province except under permit.
(t) C.se of powers under Clause G of the large protiucers license or
clause 9 of the license to direct holders of large stocks to sell them
to Government and, where necessary, powers under rule 75 (o) of the Befenoo
4 ,^ : k
1946.]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
367
At present. Government make pureliases in about half of the potential
procurement area throuj^h Gliief Agents and in the other half through their
own officers. In both cases the actual |ir(H‘urement machinery at the lower
level is .similar, the bulk of purchases is maile through private traders
W'ho work as the agents of the Chief Agents in one case and of Government
Procurement Officers in the other. Mille<l rice i.s purchased direct irom the
rice mills by the Chief Agents or hy tlie official agencies. Facilities exist
for cultivators t<j offer their stocks for sale direct to Chief Agents or to
Government officers without having to go (liroiigh an\ intermediate agency,
but in practice tliev are not often found inclined tt* take advantage oi such
facilities.
The ad vantage of flu* chief agenc> .s\.sfem is that the ( liief Agents or,
at any rate, their employees have a more intimute knowledge of the trade
than Government officers and are better eqiiipjied ft»r .successful bargaining
and to avoid purchase of unsuitable stocks. The advantage of (he diretd
procurement system is that one stage of intermediute agencies between
Government and the cultivator is climinatiul ami Government has a closer
control over the actual purchasing operations through its own officers.
G(»veriiment s aim is to extmul the dire<*l procurement system to the whcde
cf tlic iirocurement area as quickly as is touiul practicable, tlie main factor
being the rate at which tioveriniient employees can be recruited and trained
and given sufficient experience to enable tlieui t*» carry out adequately all
tlie tiinctions of the jireseiit Chiel Agents’ employees.
A> regards jirices. (loveriimeiit’s present poliev is to fix reasonable
offejing prices for each procurement district and to maintain them at the
fixed level for as long a period as possible. Government aims at fixing
price" sufficiently high to encourage the cultivator and reward him for his
luhour, to ensure that ade(|Uate iiuantitie.s y\ill (oiiie into Governments
possession, but at the saim‘ turn* to avoid offering competitive prices which
would eiicouragt* a rising tcmlcncy in tin' general ])rice level of the prtivinoe.
G(»veininent has consistently refrained trom making any temjiorury or local
increase in its offering piicc merely lor the sake of a lemjmrary increune in
the (juantities purchaseil, in the knowleilge that such a policy would
inevitably lead to a progressiye iiniea.se in the general jirice level to the
ultimate detriment ot tlie poorer (’lasses.
Mr. A. F. STARK: On a point ol order. When i.s the Hon’ble Minister
going to rejdy to the debate!'' The Uon’hle Minister is reading a written
reply. Various cut motions have been moved and various sjieeches have
been made in thi.s House. I do not see how he can reply to the debate by
continuously reading a previously prepared written reply. (Laughter from
the Opposition benches.)
The Hon’ble Mr. ABDUL GOFRAN; 1 will do that later on
Mr. SPEAKER: The Hon’bic Minister is explaining the Government
policy and then he will give replies.
Mr, DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: May ] make one suggestion to the
Hon’ble Minister. He has got a written speech. He must raise his head
up and look at u.s and read ; otherwise his tone becomes low and it is not
possible for us to follow.
The Hott’blo Mr. ABDUL GOFRAN: In 11144 (ioverniuetit purchased
over a million tons in tenns of rice and in 194o over bbr),000 Urns. Hy the
end of August 1940 pnKiurement had exc^eeded 422, (KX) tons although the
last Aman crop was a mediocre one. Temporary set backs to procurement
have not been due to defects in the sysU^m employed or in policy, but
rather to unfavourable conditions created by the nervous disjmsition of the
public who have naturally been induenc^^d by reports of shortage of food*
grains elsewhere in'^ndia and outside. The publicity given to such reports
has often ladLed proper restraint.
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[25th Sept.
Then, with regard to distribution, the distribution of rice paddy under
Modified Rationing was introduced at the end of February, that is to say,
as soon as prices began to rise in the districts this year. By th^e end of
July, Modified Rationing has been introduced in towns and 1,700 rural
unions situated in 10 districts and covering a total population of 19,000,000.
So far, therefore, as extension of Modified Rationing in deficit areas is con-
cerned, no criticism can be levelled at Government.
The total (juantity of rice and paddy tin terms of rice) issued for
consumption in the districts up to first half of August was 281,500 tons.
For the non-raiioned areas in September the consumption quota (in rice
and paddy fixed) is 42,700 tons.
While Modified Rationing has been extended to areas with a total popula-
tion of 19, 000, 000, the offtake figures given above will show that even in
June when the ])eak figure in issues was reached no more than 081 lakh
persons could have actually participated in distribution. Criticism, there-
fore, atiaclies to the following things: —
(a) Restriction of the numbers of families to which foodgrains are
given, and
{Ij) The small ration .scale adopted for Modified Rationing.
Both of these are the results of tlie over-all provincial food situation and
the explanation is to be found, if anywhere, in the policy of internal
procurement adopted by this Government, the policy of allotments adopted
DV the Government of India and possibly also in the jiolicy of inter-national
allo<;ationK adopted by the World Food Organisations.
While the above relates to major criticism of distribution, there may
well be minor criticism of the actual working of distribution in local areas.
It has been said by several members that there is corruption in the Civil
Supplies Dejmrtmeul. It is impossible for me to deny that there is none but
I must also say at the same time that we have often heard general allegation
of corruption in the Civil Supplies Deparlmeiil. Sui)j)Osing for the sake
of argument, if today 1 serve notice upon all the employees of the Civil
Sujiplies Department ami tomorrow I substitute them hy employing another
set of officers, 1 do not think there will be an\ the least improvement in the
situation. I must say tliis is tlie unfortunate ])Ositior» in \^ Inch we are at
present situated. However, we are certainly Irving our best to check
corruption in tlie Civil Supplies Department. I have already said on many
occasions that if there be evidence in order to raise strong suspicion in my
mind regarding any particular officer, I will be (|Uite prepared to tell him,
“Friend, we have no need for you. You better go." But unless there be
evidence against any particular per.son regarding liis dishonesty it is
impossible for us to take any action. 1 must also say that our friends
always make general allegations but when we re(juest them to make parti-
cular allegations against any particular officer we receive very hardly any
response from them.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: There are instances, Sir, where cases
have been withdrawn by Government.
Mr. ABDU8 BABUR KHAN: 1 have given particular instances; there
ia no sense in telling the House that particular instances were not brought
to the notice of Governinen^^
Tli« Hon’bla Mr. ABDUL GOFRAN: I may aUo tell my friends that
whenever any particular instances have been given, 1 have sent them to
'the Direotor-Genenvl of Enforcement for necessary enquiry and report.
J have never failed from doing that. What else could be done, I do not
know’,
Mr. ABDUi BABUR KHAN: Suspend these officers first and then
make an enquiry afterwards.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
The Hon’ble Mr. ABDUL COFRAN: As I have already aaid, it ia
impossible to take action against any particular officer unless there be
jTidence, if not very good evidence but good evidence against him or
there be reasonable grounds of suspension.
Then it has been said that there should l>e more imports from abroad.
Sly friends know it quite well that we cannot at present bring any
foodstuff from outside Bengal unless it is granted by the Government of
India. Government of Imlia fixes a certain quota tor Bengal and that
s the only quota that we can hring to Bengal, We have got from the
[lovernment of India, from January uji tt> now, certainly a large quantity
[)f wheat and wheat i>roducts and also large onantities of gram, pulses
and other things, hut the quantity ()f rice lias lieen no doubt not so very
large, and often it has been found that although the (iovernnieut of
India had given us hojieH to make certain allocutioiiH, it has not been
possible for the Government of India often to fulfil that promise.
Formerly we used to import from A.ssam and Burma and also from
jther Eastern States, Tripura State and Cooch Bihar State, but
unfortunakdy it is not possible to do so now.
Mr. Norton has asked me to say something regarding continuance
of the control orders. My friend Mr. Sahur has already stated that as
soon us the control onlcrs on certain goods, for example, cement and
corrugated iron sheets, were discontinued everything of \\hatever
quantity of those goods that came to Bengal disappeared and those
commiKlities could he had only at night in the black-market. Therefore,
the supply position is not yet as satisfactory as would make us think
that it would he better for the country to lift the control orders now. 8o
1 think it would he necessary for us to examine this question very soon
and to re-establish control o\M»r .some of these essential commodities.
Regarding Non-Official Food Advisory Committee, we had sent re(|Uesta
to seveial asscMiatioiis and uLso to the Congress. Only some of thoae
associations have responded to our re<|uest and some others have not,
but unfortunately owing to tlie Calcutta Killing no furllier steps could
be taken. Very recently 1 have asked our officers to lake necessary step®
,in this matter.
Regiiirding weavers and fishermen, some of iny friends have raised
the question that fishermen are not getting sufficient quantity of yarn
for making nets, etc. I may tell in\ friends for their information that
since April, we have given .‘1,880 hales for this pur])OHe alone. Now, of
course, the’ position -is this: that through the co-operative societies—
co-operative societies should also he encouraged — yum is Ixung distributed,
and these fishermen and weavers have Wn asked to form co-operative
societies, so that they themselve.s might manage the distrihutiuii of the
yarn. It is impossible for us to give an increased quota to these weavers
because the quota tliat we receive from the 0«>vernmeni of India ia
distributed per capita after keeping certain (juantities for speifio
purposes, as for example, for the fishermen, and the balance is distributed
per capita to the weavers of the Province.
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Are they getting loss
.quota since this Ministry has come to office? PreviouslN (he> useil to get
mueli more quantity of yam.
Tbt Hoil*ble Mr. ABDUL COFRAN: If that has been the case, I
believe, tliere must have been some mal-distribution or inequitahU
distribution in some places. After I have come to office, 1 have already
taken stocks, I have got a list of the quantities that each subdivisioB
is entitled to get and I have already passed orders that yarn should b«
equitably distributed to everv district and every subdivision, so that it
cannot be said that gome subdivisions have been getting more and somi
subdivisions have been getting less.
m DEMAND FOR GEANTS, £25th Sett,,
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: I do not say that some
subdivisions are getting? more and some less. What I want to say is
that previously they used to get about two bundles of yarn. Now they
^ire getting only 8 1))h. whereas previously they used to get about 20 lbs
The Hon’bie Mr. ABDUL COFRAN: That has already been replied.
Regarding niUHlard r)il also the situation is this: (iovernment of
India have fixed a liasic quota for Rengul, because Bengal produces a
Very small quantity of mustard seeds and consequently we have to depend
very' much upon the quota fixed and given by tlie Government of India.
We have to bring it from V. J*. and some other Provinces. Unfortunatel>
it so happens that some of the traders of certain districts purchase
mustard seeds in black-market and bring them to Bengal and then that
quantity is <leducted from the quota fixed for us. That is the reason why
some districts are getting larger quantities of mustard seeds than some
fdher districts. However, our basis of distribution is this that the
quantity that is available in our Province is to be divided among the
peo])le of our Province jier capita, and accordingly the (piota is fixed for
each subdivision.
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Mustard oil has been
decontrolle*! altogether in the district of Burdwan and the })rice of mustard
oil has risen in other parts of Bengal.
The Hon’bie Mr. ABDUL COFRAN: 1 do not know. Regarding
food committees I must say that although it has In'en stated that food
committees are bad and usele.ss, 1 do not think a statement like that
should have been made from the honourable members of this House.
Failure to reconstitute the.se food committees, particularly village IocmI
committees, is due to the fact that the development staff has disappeare«l
and the circumstances tor holding the election m^ longei- exists.
The present situation being not so much favourable, the opinion of the
District authorities has been taken, who believe that this is not the
jiroper time for the reconstitution of these food committees. I have
certainly taken ste])s so that as early as possible, the food committees
might he reconstituted.
Mr. A. F. STARK: Ou a point of information. vSir. Mr. Norton’.s
<|Uestion was, “how does the (iovernment propose to continue the controls
over consumers’ goods after dOth of September, when the Defence of
India Rules expire”. My honourable friend Mr. Norton does not want
removal of controls; he wants to know how Government propose to continue.
Thi Hon'blS Mr. ABDUL COFRAN: Of course, the control order at
present in force would he ineffective from dOth Septemlier next, and, if
necessary, we shall request His Excellency to issue an Ordinance.
Mr. A. F. STARK: Doe# the Hon’bie Minister regard it as necessary?
Thd Hon’bM Mr. ABDUL COFRAN. Yes, we consider it very neces-
sary, because the supply position is no.t at all satisfactory.
Mr. H. R. NORTON: When will the Ordinance be issued?
Mr. SPEAKER: WelL it is quite clear that it must be before 30th of
September, otherwise it uml cease to have any effect.
The motion of Mr. Amulya Chandra Adhikari that the demand of
Hs. 9,75,77,000 for expenditure under the head *’63 — Extraordinary
Charges in India”, be reauced by Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Rajani Kanta Pramanik that the demand of
Ra. 9,75,77,000 lor expenditure under the head ”63 — Extraordinaiy
Charges in India’** he reauced by Re. 100, was then put and losit.
1»46.I
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
m
The^ motwD of Mr. Bimal (Itundra Sinha that the demand of
Me. 9,<f3,77,(HH) for expenditure under the head “Gd — Extraordinary
Charges in India*’, be reduced by Its. 10(1. was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Iswar (diandra Mai that the demand of lla. 9.75,77,000
for expenditure under the head “tid—Kxtrutudinary Charges in India*’,
be reduced by Ks. 100. was (hen put and lost.
The motion ot the llon’hle Mr. Abdul (tofrun that a sum of
Rs. 9,7o,77,OiK) he granted i<*r expernliture under the heail “G3 —
ordinary Charges in India", wa.s then put and agreed to.
25— General Administration— General Administration.
Tlie Hon*ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY. Sir. on the recomuienda-
tion of His Excellency the (invernor, 1 heg to move that a aum of
Ks. ‘.?,T‘J.49,t)0() he granted for expenditure under the head ‘^25H(Jeneral
Administration — ( ieneiul A dm i lustration".
Sir, looking through the cut motions, it upptuirs to me that most of
them refer to other deparlmenis and other Ministers whose budget granU
have been ino\etl or are going to he moved. V(‘ry few of these cut
motiims }u‘tuall> relate to mutters whicii come under my personal
supeivision. H(»we\er, I h'live it to tin* good sense of the House to raise
^liscussion which 1 liopc I will he able to answ'er.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: Sir, 1 heg to move that (he demand of
Us. ‘J, 72, 45), (100 for expemhtun* under the liead ‘“Jo-tleiieral Adininistru*
tion — (ienerul Adniinistruti(»ii" he reduced by Rs. 100. Tlie reason for
moving the motion is to raisr a dis<‘ussion about (he failure of (he (lovern-
ineiit to institute aiiv jilaniuMl jiost-war reconstruction pr(>granimc.
Mr. BHUPATI MAJUMDAR: Sir, I heg to move that the demand of
Its. 2,72,40,tl00 for expenditure under the head “25-(ienenil Administra-
tion — (icueral Adiniuistration" he reduced by Hs. 100. The reason for
moving the motion is to raise a discussi<m about the jioor scale of pay of the
Lihrunau and tlu> Library Assistant ol the Library ot the Heugal
liCgislature.
Mr. A8HUT08H MALLICK: Sir, 1 heg to niovi> that tin* demand of
Rs. 2,72,49,01)0 for expenditure under the head “2o-(ieneral Adminiatra-
tion — (ieneral Administration" he reduc<*d by Ks. 100, The reason for
moving the motion is to laise a disi ussion about the disparity of scales of
pay of upper division assistants of the Asseinhly with ihost) of the Secretariat
and non-grant ot any coiiijierisatory allowance to tlie staff of the Assembly
for working late hours.
Sir, I have got another cut motion in j»y ui^ne. If 1 may be permitted
I may move it now.
Mr. 8PEAKER: Yes.
Mr. A8HUT08H MALLICK S Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand of
Re. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head “2'>-(ieneral Admiawtra-
tion— ^General Adminislialion" be reduced by Rs. 100. The reaaon for
moving the motion is to raise a di.Hciissifoi about the non-grant of overtime
or compensatory allowance to the superior and menial staff of the Bengal
Legislative As.senibly.
Mr. MMAL KRI8HNA ROY: Sir, I heg to move that the demand of
lU. 2,72,^9^000 for expenditure under the head “25-(leneraI Administra-
tion— ^ctncral AdnK^stration" he reduced bv Rs. 100. The reason for
moving the motion i« io raise a discussion a^ut the delimitation of con-
stiiueneiea ^ board election in the district of Bankura.
27*
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[25tb Sept.
Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANOARI: Sir, 1 beg to move that the
demand of lt». 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head “25-fi[eneral
^Administration — (ieneral Administration’' be reduced by Hs. 100. The
reason for moving the motion is to raise a discussion about the failure of
Government to iii^titute a public judicial enquiry into the Diamond
Harbour jetty disaster in which 143 Gangasagore vicla pilgrims were
killed and many oilier pilgrims were injured by the (jollapsing of the
jetties and their railings at Diamond Harbour on the 12th January, 1946,
and to compensate the injured and the relatives of the deceased.
Mr. DHANANJOY ROY: Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand of
Rs. 2,72,49,000 lor expenditure under the head “2o-(Teneral Administra-
tion — General Administration” be reduced by Its. 100. The reason for
moving the motion i*s to raise a discussion about the failure of the Govern-
ment to give effect to the- recommendulions of the Chowkiduri Enquiry
Committee hy -making provisions for the salaries of the Chowkidars to the
extent of the half from the revenue of the province.
Mr. MANORANdAN DHAH: Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand of
lis. 2, 72, 49, ()()() lor* expenditure under the head “2r)-General Administra-
tion^Generul Administration” be reduced by Its. 100. The reason for
moving the motion is to raise a discussion about the general conduct of the
present Subdi visional Officer of Kishoreganj (MvmenHingh district), with
particular reference to his relation with the. t^nion Food Committees,
Multi-purpose Societies of Kishoreganj subdivision (Hymensingh).
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Sir, I beg to move that the
demand of Hs. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head ‘“Jo-General
Administration — General Administration” he reduced by Hs. 100. The
leason for moving the motion is to raise a discussion about the policy of
tank improvement and tank excavation.
Mr.^ DHANANJOY ROY: Sir, I beg to move that the demand of
Us. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure umler the head “2)-General Administra-
tion (ienerul Administration*’ lie reduced by Us 100. The reason for
moving the motion i.s to raise a discussion about mal-udministi atioii of the
Uationiiig Department.
Mr. HARAN CHANDRA CH08H CHOWDHURY: Sir, 1 beg to
move that the demand of Us, 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head
“26 — General Administration — General Administration” be reduced by
Bs. 100. The reason for moving the motion is to raise a ditK^ussion about
the necessity of keeping a regiuar and permanent communii-ation between
the mainland and the islands of Hatya and Sandwip by sea-going craft.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Sir, I must confess’ that in moving my
cut motion, 1 find myself in a somewhat difficult situation. Naturally
1 wished to acquaint myself with tUe Government’s Development Plan.
I know that the Finance Minister hud istatcd in bis budget speech that
for the first time in the history of . this Province, she had been
enal>le<l with the help of the Centre, to embark upon a comprehensive
and well-thought-out plan of develojnnenf embracing every field of
nation-building activity. I would request you, Si;^ . to particularly
underline the words “cojiipreheiisive” and “well-thought-out plan of
deval^ment”, for was 1 jiot surprised when on referrinjf myself to the
Five-Year Plan, I found it was stated in the Introduction that it wan
not a Bln# Print, and (hat on further re-examination all the aclieinea or
perhaps ^ moat of them would undergo modification, and, ^hat in
more, there were important and obvious gaps in the Plan ih^ft, Now
such is the oharaoter of the Cbvemraent's MmprJhenaivw mid wcll-^
thought-out plan of development. Another surprising, H Ipi aetdunding,^
•tatemeat made by the Fiaaaoe liiiusier i^^ oonrae ^ of " lits rep^ ’
1946.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS^ 213
tq the jfeiieral discussion of the budget was (his that this yeur'^ develop-
ment expeiidituie was to be regarded as lu\ing the foundation wall and
that schemes and plans which are still under consideration and in the
process of incubation would be made to fit on to it. Sir, an archiUn^t
who would lay the foundation without having any precise idea of what
the superstructure was going to be stands in a category by himself, and
that honour is due to tlie Finance Minister of this (iovernmeut. 1 will
not tire the patience of the House by emnhasixing tlie obvious by saying,
ter examjde, that the plan is no plan at all, but a collection
of disperate departmental schemes, that in its lonnulution the fundamental
principles of planning have little or no bearing, tliut its primary object is
not the raising of tin* standard of living of the masses hut provision of
cm])loyment for demobilised personnel, that it has been framed by otliiial^
about whose knowledge of our problems and uppreciatioh of our needs, the
l(‘ss said the better or tliat the Ministers on their own admission could give,
‘nit little thought to this comprehensive plan.
J could go on adding to this list of perfectly vaiul crilicisnui. But
1 am aware that 1 might be characterised as a oaipiiig eritic offering
no constructive suggestion. 1 liave w'ondered, theretuw*, wdiat 1 would
])()ssibly have done, if I were in ihe (liief Minister’s position which, I
consider, to b<‘ an unfortunate position, i say unfortunate be<'ause of a
certain limitation which the policy and the nttninx oprratuh of the party
to which he htdongs impose. The first thing that 1 could do was tlw
a.^sessment of my limitations and my advantages. For example, in the
first place 1 would have known that 1 had to maintain the
party in imwer by distribution of suitable patronages and by other un-
orthodox methods even though it w^ere very uneconomic anil inefficient.
1 could not therefore expect any saving out of the genera!
revenues for development expen<liture. In the second plat'e the European
jiarty had to he kept in humour. Fortunately, the development
expenditure does not infringe upon any of then spei'ial interests. In
the third place no well-thought-out plan exists, but I would have tried
to make tlie utmost out of such materials as were already available to
me. In the fourth place I would have to depend on ('cntral tunds for
development expenditure. I know' that the ( ongri'Hs-riddcn cntral
(jovernment is wicked and a pariah and not fit to be touched with a
jmir of tongs, hut I know nioiic> has no r(‘!igion oi community. And
from whutevi ‘1 source it 'comes — whelhei it he from the cursed (Vniral
Government or not, -it does not become tarnished or contaminated in
the process. What I would be concerned with was the amount that
would be available to me. An Hoii’ble Minister had said that it would
be about tiO crores, altliuugh I have doubts about the correct m*s» of
that figure. You will recall, Sir, that Sir Arcliihald Rowlands had said
in the tVntnil Legislature that the amount that wouhl he avail-
able for distribution to the provinces for development expenditure would
be about 2')0 crores, and lliat this was to be distributed cm a
population basis. That would have ‘ given us only fifty crores. But
let us assume that it is tilt crores which, I presume, is exclusive of such
amounts as ma> be availalik b>" wa\ of loans for undertaking self-
linaucial exfienditure. This amount of (ill crores, I would not have
pqrmittcHl to he frittered awa> in the shape of doles to different dejHirt-
ments, as has been the practice in the past, but I w'ould have rathur
concentrated on a selected niimlier of proj<»cls which were likely U)
bring benefit to the masses. For example, I w^mld liave suggested these
projects: i\ ) to make Bengal self-sufficient in food by bringing under
-cultivation the cultivable wastes for which 1 would recommend (a)
adoption nl ^schemes wddeh would be self-financing, and (b) inattiuting
measures" Jot increasing the yield for which I would set apart
tvTo crores 1 ITipld have a comprehensive sc^heme of rural water-
supply in Ben^ o* ^ souroe^of supply for over^
274 DEMAND FOE GRANTS. [25th Sept.,
iour hundred persons with a view to combating water-borne diseases
such as cholera, malaria and typhoid costing six crores {vide an unpriced
Government publication, “A plan for Better Bengal”); (3) a scheme to
combat malaria costing one crore (vide scheme % No. 188); (4) introduc-
tion oi compulsory primary education costing 38 crores (vide the
Sargent scheme) ; (5) a scheme for increasing cloth production by
encouraging mill prmluction and r/o/r/:////-spinning and haiulloom-
weiiving, particularly in villages as a self-financing project; (G) develop-
metit of roads costing crores as part of expenditure with scheme
No. 101.
1 would like to conclude by saying a word to my honourable friends
opposite. This is what 1 would say. You have your League Govern-
ment here. Bengal is virtually a Bakisthan province, because ol the
essentially undemocratic and British sponsored 1935 Act. But what have
you achieved You have generated fear, distrust and resentment in
the hearts of the Hindus, but that may not worry you. But vrliat
economic benefit have you assured to the niasses, and let us say, the
Muslim masses. Here was a sum of G9 crores obtained as a gift from the
(entre, more than two-thirds of which came from the coffers of the
kaffirs and this is going to be wasted on uneconomic projects. I would
ask you, what are you going to do in order that this money may not be
wasted, but nia\ , on the contrar\. be used fruitfully in the interest of
the niasses.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARUEE: Sir, 1 beg to
move that the demand ot Us. 2,72,49,000 foi e.\penditure under the liead
“25-General Administration — General Administratioir' he reduced by
Us. 100. 3’he reason for moving this m(»tion is to raise a discussion about
(/) failure of the (iovernment to fix the minimum price ot juO‘ at Us. 40
per muund, and (//) failure of the Government to ahoh^ll the maximum
price ol jute.
nm, cut motion ii f%civ c^. ^
itrf'f vfScn
I iTfsi.; fstcfv ^<4' =9 «RT iJCVrl
I ’111; m jii z) wPrsti
m oos — oo\ sfctt ^ i w
l?f^i fkm 5ti, w ?rnr
w ?rni ^
Tu, (7T^ >pnt jffr c4c<t or«tn
nt, cwf^ TO ^<0 TO1 c*t, ^vz to i
*tTt^ Vf 80s&f¥1 SfF®, Government I Zt^
*tnr »n I ’sttti TO TO tnci; ^<7 ??r 1 ij’R 'toi ^ pros TOr ^stro
TO ymm 61^ m) ^ wTto to to i ^ ^ toi
^JIsTTORf TTtr't'^ TO TO=T, ^ ^
3;’r»iTOT^ to' vwi to ■$iv’c«! '•Ovto fror ^ ^ifror
fi 80s ^ <frtT TO I
fro. ^ mu arft vmrw fro toito w vci%,
W «fl TOi ^ frofigcTO (Tt^i 1 ^ TOi tjpt to
3fTO *tfiretf»r5 TOR ^ *tTCV, *fC^ 8CX,
fH ^ TO CTOT I vR «nf 80 ^ TOn HJ «nr, TO’r»r ^ <m
TO TOW *fffl CW vJit f TOI TO J
fl. 4^ CfTO TOW* to; TO 6 TO, TO m CS||-*
(Avoioi: TO^ Oeiliral QoTenimciitc¥ 4i^) titr TOl* Mft to wft TON
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS. *
m
ifM 80s ^ <ittT (?R wc»i cfft tm ft<n wi»
fNt ^ ir^ *ftr^ I ^ m wfHci ft? f^rcw <ittu5 m, ^ ffltit
trf% cW5 ^ 8r?T, wR c¥^ w Mire?, M^r, m
?FPPn d? ?«R 9T? ^ I
?n5TR ^ SJ5 ^»r5mJT I 4^ Sf^ fV^T irf^ne^t
^ 80 s fVi f^Tcvcw^ ^«r> v^n, ^r<wrf« TO
•4T^?R »fTr^ w^ S?F5? cfc? f^fC?fSfri?R I TO ?f^ oa^ "'f'i] ^ wftTO
TOR '^'z^ ^ ^rroi ^ W«i I ^ CTO TO =Rr5 :Jr] rut f*iif w ws
!|Td? ?rc® ^R1 cn^ ’¥T5R '^'ITOTO TO^, 4dC'R v*Pn?RTO ^»T
TO 5rf%^ ?Rr3 ’TTC^R. Z^ CTOI ’ttc^^? (Hon'hle Mr H. S. SrijRAWARDY :
cTOi fro^R) ^Ri TORf tVj ^3rci '-in:^ «rdN c*^t? Tto. topr c?. TO
(To jti (R^. ^ TOd ’«i'l ( A voK'K ; You are
flogging a dead horse. ) nf =F^1 TO-1 5lt c?, <nf^ TO?,C«rTTO
firn TO (R1*tf^ M»T PTC? I >^^£Tt '£rc*fff ?sri UR, ^fdf TO.*
qrspp rc?, ■Jtr»'*? S’Wt i
M? TOl (TT, 'fr» 'irc^? ‘R KO\ ^1 C^C^J C»il, 5RC^ 4¥?nn
c^t’t'tTO f%*f 4? yfSc’i S'-ifYD CTO? cn^i n?*-! ^ ^n<*< i
3rr»?^ 4 ri 4->ftR ^''ifn cTO^ti c’? '^n.U fii-j'5? kOx TOi c^c*! cn4^.
^1 -n vT.^ •mfsi m TO 4TO Mi tV'i] c*^c"R *j?i, »T^rc«^i tjfs, to ^tor ▼tor
tff%, ▼^CTII I
Mfa J. N* SMART: Mi. Speaker, Sir, 1 >^isli (o <iru\v the uiieiilion
of (loveiiiiiieiit to the urgent iieee.s.sity ot giving eheet to tlie ree-onnnenda-
tion.s of the Ifowlmids (’oniiiiittee. Thi.s ( 'oinniit tee in their Report
have provided u.s with the hlue-prinl of an uilniiniHtrative machine
adequate for our po.st-war need.s and their reeoimmmdations an* of funda-
mental iinportanee. The k<*>note of tlie Kep(»rl is the empha.'iiiB
on development, and the (’oinmittee make n(» secret of their view that
the present administrative muidiine is (juite inadeijuute f(»r currying
out large-scale development sdiemes. (jovernmeiit ^pnopse to Hfxmd no
less a sum tliun twelve erores ot ru]»ees during the current finamdal ><*ar
on various development schemes. IJut ran such a large e\iu-nditme he
properly surpervised or can any real progress uith tliene M'hemes he
expected under the present administrative orgaiiisat ion 'C 1 would ask
the HonTde Minister to tell us wliut, for e\am])le, lias heej^ done to
formulate district plans and to put the District Oflicer in cJiarge of these
plans y Will he tell us what has been done to place the District Officer
in a position to tlisidiarge his ricw’ respon.sihilitics, hy increase of staff
and reorganisation of his ofiRce^ Has any action hi'cn taken to increase the
number of (‘ircle Officers as recommended In the KowlamlM (Jommillee?'
A notable omission from the Hudget Estimates is the imjujrtant
recommendation for the subdivision of the districts of Mvmen.singh,
Midnapore, Dacca and Bakarganj. These districts were fironoiinced
uniiianageahly large by the Administrative Enquiry ( ommittee of 1913,
and the setadiiv increasing population of the intervening years, cannot
have rendered tliem a less difficult administrative proposition. It is surely
a ftrst minciple of good administration to wcok with units of manageable
site and this question should receive primary attention.
Turning now to the quality of the administration, this Party would
welcome some evidence of Uovemment’s determination to tackle the
^rave problems of bribery and comiption. It is not enough to leave
it to the Goverpmept of India to give effect to certain recommendations
by Ordinance. Government must show determination to deal with these
276
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
problems themselves, and I would suggest the best way of doing this
it to deal swiftly and decisively with offenders. If bribery and corrup-
tion is to be checked, retribution must be swift and sure, but the present
position is that cases drag on ^ for years while offenders are seldom
suspended and much more often are transferred to some more desirable
post! We would like to hear from the Hon’ble Minister, particularly in
view of his assurances when he took office, what are his proposals for
dealing with bribery and corruption.
The position with reganl to the Public Service Commission recom-
mendations is also unsatisfactory. The Rowlands f'ommittee have made
three important recommendations, namely —
(1) That Ministers should have no hand whatever in the appointment,
£ romotion, transfer or posting of an> officei belou the status of Secretary,
leputy Secretary or Head of a Department or Deputy Head :
(2) That the ('ommission should not mdinarilv be asked tt) suggest
the names of more candidates than there are vacancies for: and
‘ (•'!) That the Commission’s Annual Report stiould be published in toto.
The Hon’ble Minister, in reply to a question on these recommendations
by my Hon’ble friend Mr. Sawday, slated that the first two
proposals were under consideration and as regards the third, il had been
decided that this recommendation need not be accej^ted for the present.
These replies appear to us to be merely evasive, it does not require
four or five months’ consideration for (iovernment to decide whether its
Ministers should take a hand in appointment making. Surely an
immediate decision can be arrived at on >uch an important point as
protecting Ministers from political pressiiie and kt‘e])ing the Services
free from political influences. By rejecting the Committee’s recommenda-
tion that the (.’ommission’s Annual Report should b(‘ published, it
would appear Gf^vernment wish t(» conceal the Service (’ommission’s
activities and opinions from public. Perha])s tin' Hon'bb* Minister will ^
give the House some explanation.
And finally, Sir, there is TiOCal Self-tiovernnu'nt I’lie Rowlands
Committen' point out tliat the Local Self-Govwnment Department has
largtdy failed t(» give local bodies, the attention, assistance and super-
vision they require and are entitled to expect. The department has, in
fact, failed to develop as it was intended that it should. The Committee
recommend that the Di*partmen1 of Local Self-( iovernment should be
separated from that of Public Health and that a small Inspectorate of
Ltmal Bodies should be attached to this new' Ministry of Local Self-
IGovernnffnt . This Inspectorate would work in close collaboration with
the District Officer and with the Examiners of Local Accounts. The
Rowlands (’ommittee describe the general standard of Local Self-Govern-
ment us being “depressingly low”. .Government cannot evade a shftre of
" the blame for this state of affairs, and it is hoped they will give serious
and early ctmsideration to the Committee’s recommepdations, designed as
they are, to raise these standards.
Mr* BHUPATI MAdUMDAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the scale of pay
obtaining^ in all the departmental libraries of the Government of India is
Ra. dlK)-50(). The librarian of the Bengal liegislative Assembly Library
has got a scale of ILs. L'U)-175, which is rather jmor. Our librarian is an
elBicient librarian; he is ^alified enough. Hie is an M.A. He also holds
a diploma in librariunsliip from the Government of India and also
certificates from other foreign Library Associations. I think he sho^d
^ gat the same emolument as is given to the holders of library diploma
iTom the Goveriiraent of India.
Then I come to the question of the scale of pay of the Library Aaaiat-
ant. She is a graduate and baa generi^y been found to be
im.]
rnitim FOR GRANTS;
m
an efficient worker. She ha« been working here for the last four years.
Her scale of pay is Rs. 45 to Its. 75 — ^a very poor scale of pay. She gets
the pay of a paharawalla ! I think, Sir, that the Library Assistant of this
'Legislature should receive proper .pay. The corresponding scale
prevailing in the Bengal Library, the ttniversity Library and the Govern-
ment of India Library is RvS. 100 to Rs. 300. I draw tne attention of the
Hon'ble Minister in charge and would request him to revi.se the scales of
pay of our librarian and Library Assi.stant. That is all that I have got
to say.
Mr. A8HUT08H MALLICK: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not think any
long speech is necessary on this subject, luit 1 should like to submit
certain facts for the consideration of this Hou.se. There are many new
members in this House and tluuefore I would like to speak something here.
Overtime allowance used to be given to the stuff of the now defunct
Council up to Midi and was discontinued on the recommendation of the
Retrencbnicnt Committee. The rate w'as as follows: —
Upper Division Assi.^ttuut
Lower Division Assistant
Typists
5 ])er diem.
4 per diem,
d per diem.
Allowance iiM'd to l>e given for working overtime lieyond T )i.m. for each
<lay of meeting.
Times without number this matter came uj) before this House. I
shall enumeiate those facts. In Ihe July se.ssion, l!)diS, in reply to some
supplementary ouestion to starred (juestion No. 211 by Mr. Surendra
Nath Biswas, tne then D^qnity S])eaker Mr. Ashruf Ali informed the
House that Government w'ould be move<l to grant some allow-ance to the
staff for doing Watch and Ward duties. Tlien, Sir, on the llth July,
19d9, in reply to a (piesUon by Maulvi Md. Mozainmel llmi, M.L.A., the
then Deputy Speaker informed the House that Ihe Hon’ble Speaker
would m(*vc (ioverumeut for the payment of some allow'unce for doing
strenuous dulies over a period of 8 to 9 hours a day. Tlien, again, Sir,
Mr. Sasaiika Sekhar Sunyul. M.L.A., now M.L.A. (Ceiilral), enquired
by question No. dOo. about the result of Ihe move to be taken as premised
by the Deputy Speaker on the llth July. 1939. The Deputy Speaker
Mr. Uashemy informed that (jovernimmt did not agree to overtime
allowance and that Government wouhl la* moved for a compensatory
allowance. In reply to a HUpplemciitiiry (luestion by Mr. Nishitha Naia
Kundu the Deputy Speaker agreed to the desirability of appoint-
ing a committee representing all the grievances of the staff in regard
to working for extra hours. No such committee has so far been formed.
Then, Sir, Mr. Azizul Haque. on tin* eve of his leaving for EnglanfL
stated as follows on the floor of the House on the 13th March, 1942.
I shall read now th<j relevant portion. This is what he said: — “The
second function which the Speaker has to discharge is in connection
with the administrative work of the Assembly Department, and here
under the constitution as it at present stands the financial responsibility
of ever}’ expenditure in connection with the Assembly is with the Govern-
ment and it is the Government which has U> submit budget
r posals to this House ami has to explain its reasons and justifications.
is in these circumstances that the Speaker has to administer his
department under rules framed by the Government. Here he is often
TOwerless at points w^ere he may come into conflict with the views of
Government. I propose to w|ite to you later in full as to the lines on
which the Assembly Department should work and to place iny experience
before yon so that "you might at a time when I shall not he the Speaker
27S
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[26th Sotp.,
00 n$ider the whole question on its merits. There are, however, two
questions to which I would like to draw your special attention, namely: —
(1) that the status of the Department and of its officers should be
„ exactly the same as those in the Secretariat, and
(2; that the pay and prospects of the Assembly Department staff
should in no way be inferior to those working in other Depart-
ments directly under the control of Government. I do hope
that you will kindly consider this matter as early as possible.
May I also state one other matter. For the last five years, I have
tried to build up the working of the Assembly office as belonging to this
House and even though in administrative matters we have to accept
Governrnent rules, [ have all along worked towards the ideal that it
is to this Assembly that it should ultimately be responsible and that it
must function keeping this House in front to build up parliamentary
traditions, l^et us remember that a very large part of our success
depends on the genuine devotion and work by the office staff and I do
honestly, frankly and une(juivoeally admit, how much I owe to the
office staff with whom I have w'orked for the last five years. They work
in ^silence and they work behind the knowledge of others and
their work does not appear bcd'ore the public gaze. Ia*t us remember
that they an* also human beings and that they have to w'ork often from
morning till evening and even sometimes (ill midnight. I can assure
you that tlie\ bebmg to sou ami the> w’oik with devotion and
zeal, da,\ and night, ut the sacrifice of their lu'alih and comfort. I feel
deeply personal grief in parting compan> with the staff of the depart-
ment and Nou all. 1 s|>eak in no conventional sense, but with mv humble
experience in various spheres of life, 1 can say I have hardly come
across a better and a more devot(*d band of officers and men, devoted
honestly and devoted sincerely, than the staff of the Assembly Depart-
ment — be be an orderly, a menial, a clerk or a gazetted officer of this
department and if 1 have got aiivthing to say it is that 1 leave them to
your charge, to your responsibility, individually as well as collectively,
and I do hope and trust that you will look after them. My personal
responsibility i,s all the greater; many of Ibein I brouglit here and I
cannot leave them w’ithout discharging this duty of mine.”
With those words, I commend my motion to the acceptance of the House.
Mr. KAMAL KRISHNA RAY ; Mr. Speaker, Sir, y’rsTi
cwnPi cwfn delimitation cwe^i
s cw^n ^5Ti ^^r?FTr*r< ^ i
wfft cw^n f^-
f t ^ w5ir5t?'v%T?r c? rto ^ i
w!n fvj snr. fmnrfr i *\t (7ti m
ctcw -aw; cw?tTii wTw^8 Chairman i
csimm wm vcu i ^ rsh (TT c?
doUmitationiifl 1^51 4 l?T^ l5r«r-n ^
cvm 4 V &1 r’rsi wr^rcv^ fVj 1 wt^fcva f^jpr
wfi ; cwr^ cmwM
^ Severn 4 <rai (?I delimitation vi t^fR? cvw
ft frs <itci : — fpn 1 cwimr seat fifn fcinr ^ot — 'sif vcfT
finji wif 4¥t wf? 1 ffr w im 3 Tvc»» fwaffi
mm >at seat w imstfirf 4 ft ifwFs ; m cft cft fftf »
f¥l ^ TCI ¥f] CTfCn f% ; om TOW f seat TO TCICT I #1^ fWNIi
Nmfir fN fro wicNi W11 cfH Til ^ smI
1946 .]
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
279
4 flU:? ibO.OOO cm 4^9 ¥Gr seat Wl 4f Vf-WT CT ¥lf
c?*n ^ta. q 5oo,a80,
4 ^ I 47 4 ¥ 4^1 «fRr? 4 ¥lP ¥C^ ^PfCnm Wr\ TCfC^ I •^m Cfdi
4^ m W^*4n 8*4,4*16 « 8V,0:&4 ^5fCT« W=TT« 4¥i7 TO TOHl 4f^ *tfv|-
>rwi w^ni^tn 6 ^,ooo 5X^3 (7f cro to^? jii fro 'Str^ ^ to ’<wt
TOF I 7*»Tn»i «4f5Tf^ 5Tf^ ’ftipncw^ ’<fT5?T^ ~ w.-t, 7 ^fTO, cnw ¥rv ^9
* 0
TOrara TOn to vt toc^i *»irTOf cto «tr*/anft 7 ^f»r
4^; vffjn^f%i arm v^tis ’ tfjRCT ’mrcv ^sfwtaj
fV^T an, TO*! 1? 5F*TJr‘4ri JI'<tTO 40,66*4, K^.brOft Jjaft 84r,^04 I *Ji:^7CffTOf7
a f^rarsn^tts^ «mnr 8*4 jtwh q 8b irw^ wiTJT:*fm 4 ^ 4arll» c^v f cirri 1
TOT^tr? '^arrfin v«n w m \ ^rfr wfam^r^r ¥toi
c^Ti ^‘9 w, 3 ^f% ^ 47 s delimit ation4ir ff?l
fV *fto 9X3 MtC'^ C’T^I f^carMt I
Mr. SPEAKER : Y our lime i« up.
Mr. KAMAL KRISHNA RAY : One minute Sir, 4 arm 4arsrtii voi c^r cit¥-
onr mmc-T arcaf aTWmaT arcrnff^, dTr-fmrcar^ vf, i wrm 4v7i '4tto
STO fsf^ 9T sr^Pir-arrh S'-I^J, an t9 S'li' I caraftriT ^O/jfjfj c^irar ^CTO C^
anrro to crm c^rnr an ’rrftr^ w f>Tr% 9X3 31 ^far ^irs
•ftf^ an I ^fa? JT^TOiar ^art<( (TI 47 OJ ofjftTl f.nmiM aift^^rri ^CTCU-ar 3fT
4^1; =®iPrr-4 5*f1^t7 7f^ I
Mft CHARU CHANDRA BHANOARI: 1 wi^h lu (Iihcukh the (linaBter
that overtook the pilj^rims at DiumomI llarhour. The ( janjruHUjfor® ynela
is famous and ])il^?rmiafre i** held every year on the lust day of tlje Hen^ali
month Pe//.v at the coiiflueiua* ot tlie Ganj^es and tije llay of Henf^al.
The ])luce i** visited every year hy tens of tlumHunds of pilpfiims from all
over India. The iiirhi is munaj^ed and arian^^'ement.s an* made hy the
(fovernment and the 2d-Parpinas Jh.striet Ifoard jointly. This year
nrranjrements were made witli joint .steamei <’om])anieM of tin* I.G.N. and
R.S.N, to cany thi* pil^^nms to the lurla. They eonstnieted two jetties
at Diamond Harbour, two wooden jetties, for the embarkation and
disembarkation of pilf,^rims, On 12th January, embarkation of pil^^riins
was proceeding? by the southern jetty when tin* first aceident happened
at 11 a. 111 ., and Id pilgrims were killed and 2.') were seriously injured.
The accident happened by the breaking of the railings df the jett.v .
Thereupon the executive autliorities as well as the steamer coinnunies
were given warning and were repeati'dlv reijuested to stop emharkation
and not to allow embarkation hj the .second jetU, which was susjiected
to he a weaW structure, hut it was not heeded to. Kniharkation by the
second jetty atllrted according to their plan. In helplessness and
desperation the local leaders approached the Subdivisional Offio<»r, but
before he could do anything the second aceident happened by the collapsing
of the gangway of the second jetty and breaking of its railings. This
time it was not 13, but 143 pilgrims were killed outright and seriously
injured. Sir, the ghastly tragedy aroused resentment and sensation in
th^ pubic mind and in the press. The ghastly tragedy is unique in its
nature, it is uni({ue in the history of pilgrimap^e in the hisiorv of India.
There was a universal demand from the public as well as the press to
institute a thorough enquiry of a judicial nature.
Mr. NIHARENQll DUTT-MAZUMDARt Sir, on a point of order.
Ho Hon’ble Minister appears to^be liatening to the speech. There seenui
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
m
to be some conference and commotion going on round a police office.
We should like to know what it is pbout? There is a police officer inside
the House.
Kir. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: We want to know the subject matter
of their diseussion.
The HOfl»ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Because I do not foUow
what the honourable member has been saying.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: On a point of order, Sir.
If the Hon’ble Minister does not seem to be following the speech, how
will h(‘ reply.
Mr. 8PEAKER: Order, order. The Parliamentary Secretary is
present and is listening to the speech.
Mr. CHARU CHANDRA BHANDARI: Therefore u competpt
tribunal should have been appointed for determination of compensation
to be paid to the relatives of the deceased as well as the injured. But
that is not to be, for it was at the time of section 93 Government. It
appeare<l in the Press report, some time ago that the Commissioner of
the Presidency IXvision was enquiring into the matter. That will not
do even it it be a fact, because the Government itself is one of the parties
considered re8p(msible foi the tragedy and one of its officers cannot and
should not therefore sit in judgment where its own conduct is in question.
This incidtmt does not coneern Bengal alnm*. but tlie whole of India.
(At this stage the member reached the time-limit, but was allowed
one minute imu’e to conclude.)
Sii, it is of all-India importance, because most ot the victims were
pilgrims— 120 out of 143 — and came from all other provinces of India;
and it is in the fitness of tilings that (iovernment slioiild do justice by
appointing an Knquiry ('ommission as the honour of Bengal is involved
lienuise Bengal was in the position of a host of pilgrims from other
provinces, and it^s up to the Government of India to appoint a ('ommission
-of Empiiiy.
Mr. GOBINDA LAL BANERJEE:: Mr. Spt‘aker. Sir, within the
short time at my disposal, it will not he possible for me to deal squarely
with the subject. 1 shall therefore make my obseivation in a general way.
Sir, the most encouraging feature of tlii.s year’s Budget is that tlie
Governnitmt is going to spend 02 crores of rupek^s for, say, the good of
the province of Bengal, but the most disappointing aspect of it is that
this huge .sum of money of this wretcheil proviiu'e will be drained away
through a leaky and absorbing system and the people who expectantly
stand at the other end of the system will get nothing, but drops which
ey^pbrate in the heat of their want and privation. Why ibis happens?
Sir, this happens, because of the nature of adminiairative machinery
of the Government. It has been admitted from all sid^s that the '
aaministration is corrupt, inefficient, top heavy and tainted with
^SOinmunalisni, and all that. So when this huge sum of money if going
to be spent iii the^^amo of poor and famishing Bengal through su^ an
administrative machinery, it can have no other purpose than to make
the machinery' ilHore corrtlpt, more inefficient and more dishonest. The
Ministry lias not been able to set up an ideal for the General Admiwtra-
tljpn of tlie province. It has only laid down a formula for recruitment
t# Services. I mean, the communal ratio. It has administered a deadly
injection of communalism into Services. It ^has consciously and in ft
planned way encouraged corruption, bribery and all those unpardonable
Tices. The other day the Premier had to confess that in one case be
Iftterefered with ibe optfation "ef law in Park Street tbanar- —
DEMAND FOB GRANTS.
mi
S46.1
TM Hon’Ma Mr. H. a. SUHRAWARDY: No. he did not.
Mr. COfiiNDA LAL BANERdEE: Ikt he had no apology for it and
le has noi the worth in him to realise that one such interference by hint
aeaiis humlred such interferences by others ami tiiut will he done by
fff^niig bribes. The Conmiunal Ratio in Services has not in the least
mproved the lot of the Mussahnans. If the Muslim l^eague Ministry
eally desired to ameliorate the conditicm of Mnslim masses, they could
five them more roads, free e<iucation. more tanks for drinking water,
ree hospitals and better hygienic condition. Since the beginning of
Jritisb rule the authorities have been tr\ing to (ruin up the
tficials as Sahibs. Tlu'v gave tloun their eo.stume, their language,
heir fashioiih and their mode of li\ing. 'Ibal modtd still persists in
pite of the competency of the Ministry to set up a different model that
its in our poor, unfortunate, bnt bt‘lov<‘d juovince. (ioverument thinks
hat efficiency of administration cun he iiuTeascd and ciuruption removed
>y, increasing the salary and the number of oHieials, but unfortunately
Jle disease is elsewhere. It has not been able to infuse a spirit of
lervice in the administration. We have seen Premiers and Ministers
)f other provinces. When they draw as their salaries in hundreds, Our
l^remier and his (-(dleagm's draw in thousands and they tlo not teel shame
D making perfection of tludr dress in Knglish fashion and their demeanour
fi such that they find no moral sanction in them to ^et up a model of
limplicity and service before the udministrativi' syslem.
Sir. I am referring to all thes(‘, because it has its la*aring upon
3 Xpeiiditure of the Provincial administration (ioverument should have
let up a stauflard ot living for its oflicials, high and low, and in the
mse. it could give more attention and care to low-paid (lovernment
lervant'- w host* miseries have almost become proverbial.
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Panerjee, are you speaking on cut motions
Nos. 47 fiiid 4Sy
Mr. DHIRENDRA HATH DATTA; No, Sir. He is speaking on the
main dejnand.
Mr. COBINDA LAL BANERJEE: Then, Sir, the desirability of
the .•reparation of judiciary from the (‘X<‘cutlve lias noi, I think, been
[louhted. The Govcniincnt may find it difficult to carry that into
pffect. Rut thi.s fact cannot give the (jovernment sanction lor tfderaling
the glaring evils that result from the very nature and tempera-
ment of the officer who holds the two at one and the same time. One
I.C.S. officer who earned hift notoriety as tin* District Magistrate of
Je.ssore and then of Midnapore was charged with inalicious prosecution
of one Alfred Morris Dean, and the Him’hle High Coujt after going
through this case convicted and sentenced him to a fine. And such an
officer is maw tolerated in such a re.sponwihle post as the Director of
Agriculture.
(At this stage the member reached the time limit.)
With these observations, Sir, 1 oppose the main demand. /
Mr. tERAJUOOIN AHMEO : Mr. .Speaker, ®r, wnt W) ftft ’Wt* Tl fHtil
.ww «nn ^ 'Wrfrr fir =n itSl® Tn rtroi i “irtfiw
JfC’TToW JgfT WTf ffW
*n t wtwl? fVwHT 80s ^ ^ ? VtC?! TO T 'gWf
m iKhi TO I 4t yft Mcf* ytyr yfk kw,
ym fC¥ mar 'ypnn tot® R%i yr¥c%i 1 yftwt wm fkv
R^ijprWiiii TO wi#i cRf to ytcn c¥W|i r ’TOytn
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
cFTv ct ^^tfnnr c^c^y'S *tc!5 i
cwzn wrf’Win sr ; cs\ c<trv ftoci 5 ^ i
Mr* SPEAKERS You should address the Chair and not
Mr, 8ERAJUDDIN AHMED : Mr. Speaker Sir, a'f ^t^sri ?ftar
•UTftR C. R. Dasii^ ^r^3Ti %i f^i wm C. R. Dasii^i ^Vs ^-
ffl^i CTf^^ni ? ^ ^rrrj ; f^ cro c^rc^r J
(noise and disturbance ) m fV ? ij^c^ ^af c‘^r^ ^ iirc^ c»ft
wf^ni ’t^i Mr. Speaker, Rtfir fiwn
arfar ?PF^ 5TI ^TRin <r? ilRr? GHT’S ’ttf^ I ‘^(R (R RtW ^SfR?'
•xialTiR csr^f^? 1 RRR leader ij^FSR officer^)? >K?r ^«fl
c^ ^ I ^ ? Rtfsr 4?^vn ^f'/RT?R3? f^Ri 5 t^ 1 (r leader
RRt^fl Muslim Bengali]? ?? c^fr^ ?irPrj ?t% 1 c?^ ?rN?fc»r?
?] I 3tUS f^ ??n:^ ’ C? RRRtr*f^ (?f S^TTiT? oT? C^, ?1 v(T?'r? ?rR?1 iiaR^
car? (TFtpi ftr? fsrsR, rrrt?! 3 <?rtr^ d?c? f^rs? 1 ^ 'armrc'r?, Mr. Speaker,
?»rc?] c? '^f'pRt(R? c? general administration i]? fVf cm 1 ?rtfi
?^1 I inf? 'i]^8R f?f-t^ tRR officered ?nci; «r?f5 C? C3R?i i]? C? Govern-
luenti]? ?^<C5?i, ?5 officer vc^r3 it?] c^f*^ C'<C^ Governmentc^
payment l^c? Rt?7 enfw^r c’tT:?^ C3R?i c?^ ’ a:R?i ?) fV^, ?i
5n ChristianT ?i . C®mi i]^l?i Rmfw] cfti I c«^?f5 ? 1 , i)?? i)? Govern-
ments? officerc?? ?? f«rc? ?» ?i, m c?? cornmunalismij? fe? f^rc?
irnrt ^51 iicnas 1 Mr. Spt^aker, 'inf? ?^c?i
Mr. SPEAKER: Time is over, please take your seat.
Mr. 8ERAJUDOIN AHMED : One minute. Sir, irtf? ^?) ?!%. RRTC^
?3tc^ ?c»n:^ 1 inf? irmr? Icadercr i\i) c? |Tram Co ?f??
▼?C^ ?C5lfK'f? c? Tram Co. nationalise 5^?r?i, '51 5n:? resolution
*fH ?r^? ?M’?i pFi ‘??r^ ^r? c?rR r'c?i ?n i^tf?ir^c?t? ^r-TTfro c?
take up ^c? PtC? iiPi nationalise ^1 1
Mr. SPEAKER: Your time is up. Pb*ase take your seat.
Mr. MANORANJAN DHAR: Sir, with the fullest sense of responsi-
hilily I am ffing Heri(‘s of alleg-ations against the
Subdivisional Officer of Kishoregunj wduch 1 am prepared to substantiate
before any ifnj)arfial tribunal, ii set up to enquire into his conduct.
Sir, bis pei^erse conduct came up for criticism on the floor of this
House more than once in the past. In the month of February, 1945, his
moral character was also put into question on the floor of this House.
1 do not know it thereafter the stigma to his character has been removed.
in»^.i‘n(’’ m” '• ttllesations had been made before the
D^wtuct MuffietruU* by he public of Kisboreganj and the Diatrict
MA([istiute enquin>d into them and his clear findinf? was that the people’,
grieyance. rcKardliiR the conduct of thi.s Subdivisional Officer w^ven-
well-fowded. Sir, instaiice.s of his intereferinfr wiS
th. administration of justice are many. Only the other day a case
Zan ri? Myiiensingh observed .dearly
rtil *'*"‘:** Ahal.VMundari w.as the complainant— that
W.il ^ ^ •’I*''!?’ ’"‘j. on deliberately brinjpng^ the adminis-
*‘r '“‘0. ^^'’’’wlit. As the time is very short. 1 am ffoia* to
ISirsirifeiAT^rL^*""*' ’*.!'“i‘“l i *“’!’*■“ interest oHai?
this will be pnnaaptly looked into so that the culprit the
1946 .]
DEMAND FOD DRANTS.
m
Subdivisional Officer himself can also find an opportunity of exculpating
himself from the charges. 1 hop tioyerninent will take immediate steps
to institute an impartial enquiry into his (onduct ai^ pending the comple-
tion of the enquiry, 1 hope the Ooverninent will tAe steps forthwith for
bis removal from that sulMlivision. nay, Ironi the district.
Here is the charge-sheet. The Subtlivisional Officer has autocratically
foisted the multi-purposes co-operative societies uj»on the unwilling
peoj)le of Kishoreganj, completelv ignoring the vehement opposition of
the consujning public of ml colours h\ sheer abuse of power as the
administrative head of the subdivision and by resorting to coercive
methods.
tiovernment control of various essential neces.sitie8 has been made a
ready weapon in the hands of (he Subdivisional Officer to thrust on the
people' whatever he would like to.
On occasion.^ he adopted repressive measurt's even to supprc'ss any
voice of opposition ami criticism aguin.st lii.s pet and motivated scheme
of multi-purposes societies.
In selling shares ot the societies, drastic and high-handed meaaurea
were resorted to, such as issuing notices to nmn> respectable ])ersons
thereby tlireateiung jirosecutioii and harassing them for months together
without disposal of cases till tlie> would giv«‘ undertaking to support
the multi-])ur})oses societies and hu> shares. There are liiindrecls of
instances wliere rationees who c(»uld not aflOrd to purchase shares were
deiiK'd the supply, tor several niiMiths at a stretch, of conlrolhal articles
like cloth, kerosene, salt, sugar, etc., which (lu\> were entitled to get
under tin' lationing and (*ontrol scheme ol the , tiovernment which waa
thus defied by the Subdivisional Officer with impunity.
.Sharelndders wen* m»t given their ^h.iH* scrijils under his guidance and
instructions.
Man^ educational institutions have been forced by him to buy Sharon
on ilcnial of rations like salt, kerosene and cloth [vide orders, dated 23rd
May 1?M') and 3()th May l!t4'>i
He has allowe<l communal considerations to vitiate the whole system
of .su])ply and distribution tliere through his indecent inanoeuverings in
the imilti-inirposes societies dominated everywhere by the unscrupulous
Onion Hoard meinhers and Presi<Ients.
People of had repute and of scandalous anti-social character and
known profiteers and hlack-inaiketeers liave been taken into confidence
and management and have been included in the ex(3cutive oommitUies of
the societies, all memhers wheieoi are noiiiinaied by the Subdivisional
Officer, the elective method being quite foreign to that scheme. He never
entertains any complaint against any of the members.
His intereference has rendered the Food Committees formed under the
Government scheme practically non-existent and useless.
He has so bungled the monopoly business of the multi- purposes
societies throughout the subdivision that people are constantly foeed
with various difficulties, because of non-supply of essential things Conse-
quent upon the societies’ inability to purchase due to paucity of funds at
their disposal.
He is directly and indirectly encouraging corruption, bribery, profiteer-
ing and nepotism to the detriment of the poor people’s interests. Now,
some 60 criminal cases are pending against the Secretaries and other
authorities of the societies for^ defalcation, etc.
Many cases of "profiteering, etc., were rep<^d to the Subdivisional
Officer, but no action whatsoever was taken by him.
284
DEtANB FOB GRANTS. *’
[25th SEpti.#.
The Subflivieional Officer by rlifferent orders and instructions
encourages the multi-purposes societies to take to profiteering by urging
the societies to sell controlled articles at a rale much higuCt than the
controlled one, e.g., -keros^e-^when the rate in tint was Rs. 5-L per
tin, the iiiuiti-purpos<‘8 ^^cieties and the Central Bank under written
authority of the Suhdivisional Officer sohl them at Rs. 7-5 per tin.
It was so charged and realised from the Kishoreganj municipality even,
about which written complaints were made to the Superintendent of
Police and Eiifontement Branch authorities. .B.O.Q. authority also moved
in the matter, but no ac;tion w’as taken. The price-rate of kerosene per seer
was reduced by one anna {rule District Magistrate’s memorandum
No. dI02(6'), dated 4th October 1944). But under Suhdivisional Officer’s
instrucjtion multi-purjiOHes societies were selling kerosene up till' l‘U.h May
1949 for ] year 8 months at the old higher rate thus making au extra profit
for kerosene only sold in tins (taking S,U00 tons to be the minimum monthly
coTiHuniption) of Rs. 1,00,000; but no excess price was charged tor kerosene
hold to Government (jfficers in tins.
Salt . — Instead of controlled retail j>ricc ot three annas six pies per seer,
it was sold at four annas per seer for a long time thus profiteering to the
extent of R.s. 25,000.
'Ynrn . — Yarns are sn])plicd to weavers by mu]ti-i)urposc societies w’ho
are to deliver produced goods on getting labour charge. The society
sell tliose cl(»tlis at an extra profit of Rs. 1-8 4>r in(>re for each piece of <dotn
at the expense of the poor weavers.
Paddy. — 08,000 inaunds of paddy meant for relief in Nikhli area were
unnecessarily distributed through multi-puipo.se societies by giving
them 3 annas per maund commission. It wa.s complained that the said
paddy went into black-market within the knowledge of Suhdivisional
Officer. Enquiry was made. Result is still unknown thus indicating
whitewashing.
Vorrayafrd iron-sheets. -Selling at much hij^lier lute than the controlled
rate by ('eiitral Bank who purchased thus advantage at the cost of
Rs. 70,000 for buying shares of multi -purposes societies. Now though
deimntndled through Suhdivisional Officer's manipulation, its supply (very
much short of needs) is monopolised by multi-purposes societies and Bank
of Eastern Pakistan, another strange institution created under Suhdivisional
Officer's unholy patronage without any capital except the Subdivisional
Offi(5er’8 grace.
(At this stage the honourable member I'eached his time-limit, hut one
minute was allowed to him.)
Application of the Eastern Ben^l Pakistan Bank for food licence
being rejected by the Procurement Department, the Subdivisional Officer
has given them certain unseemly latitude in the matter of conducting food
business even thereby allowing them to earn thousands of rupees. Tnough
hlack-marketiug through the Bank of Eastern Pakistan was detected and
reported to the Subdivisional Officer, no action was taken.
The Subdivisional Officer hils caused the multi -purposes societf to
ille^lly deprive many rationeee of their legitimate dues of olotn by
suddenly ordering that old ration cards were to be changed for new ones,
where arbitrary entries were found as to be — “no balance of cloth quota’*.
The Subdivisional Officer while jpersivstently neglecting his own functions
has usurped to a great measure ^e duties and responsibilities of the
Subdivisional Food Controller^ who is Mtting there as a mere figure-head
to enjoy a big salary. 7
(At this ^stago the honooaable member having reached his time-ltoiit
resumed Us sMt. )
^6.] FOB OBANfS* m
, Mr. R* A. GOMES: Mr, Speaker, Sir, 1 would drav^tbe attention of
jjfovefnment to tlie matter of recruitment of the members of the Indian
Christian cotumunity to the public servicfs under (he Go>'ernment of
BengaL There is no reservation, for Indiau rimstians as a separate
community. The community has to look for its chances in the joint
reservation for “others” — a term denolinir the non<Muhammadan, hon-
scheduled caste members. In aetiial ' practice, these “otliers” are
usually other tlian the Indian t’hristians. The latest example is found
in the list of lawyer Magistrates, T1 h‘\ number nearly a lmndre<I, but
there ia not a single member of the Indian (’hristiun community in the
list, althongli to my knowledge there an‘ several well oualitied eligible
candidates. 1 trust (ioverniuent will bastcji to rectify tnis disereimnoy.
The Indian" ('hristian community would l>e prepared to waive the
demand for reservation if tiie other •communities would agree. Hut so
long as tliere exists reservation for some (»f the eommuniti(‘s, the Indian
Christians veheiueiitlj protest against the use of that reservation for
the purpost* of their exclusion. 'I’lie pndileni ot recruitment should also
be considertMl in the light ot the bigger problem of unemploy-
ment. The Indian Christians aie an educated, hut working class
community. Hy no means can thc\ he called a business comriiunity.
Wherea.s the inujor coiniininities by virtue of their hold on the commercial
world can freely accommodate members of their community ia
commercial service, Indian Christiau.s can find no such accommodation.
Entries in the commercial firms are a matter of favour for Indian
(’liristians from other coinimiiutii^s and suih entries may become
increasingly difficult, if the threatened economic hoyi'ott resiiltiug from
communal "fear materialises. Viewed in this light, sufficiently weighted
reservation in the public services for Indian (’liristians is necQjiaarj",
just and equitable. In this respect the Government of Bengal may
consider the better treatment dealt out l).\ tht‘ (jov(*rnment of India. It
has also been reptuted to me hy members of (he Indian ("Ihrisiian
eommuniti in jmlilic service that in the matter of promotion and transfer
their rightful claims are sometimes subonliiiuted to suit the convenience
of th*e iiieiiibers of the present governing cqinmunilies. Government
should keep a vigilant eye so as to ensure that members of this community
are not unjustly treated.
Turning to the question ot Internal Security of the province, I think
that the formation of the Peace (’ommittees is a move in the right
direction. Hut it would he futile to expect of them any tangible work
if they are left in the beggarly position of preaching saints. It is desirable
to invest them with some powers and prestige. G.overnment
should study the ailvisahility of investing them with some degree of
magisterial power so as to afford them the ofiportunity of discharging
some of the functions of English Justices of the PeacH*. The (Jommitteo
should have the advice and guidance of a group of expert educationists
and social psychologists. It would be all for the best if a part of the
S roblein of internal security could be separated from the department of
[ome and placed in charge of a s«*paratc department. The function of
this department would be to supervise* e\eiv pie(re of legislation and
Government order from the point ol view rtf communal harmony and to
control press and public expression and carry out the duty of initiating
legislation and incurring expenditure solely designed to promote communal
harmony.
At all events it is necessary to reckon with the fact t^t communal
harmony in Bengal has suffered a destruction on a volcanic scale. Out
of this destruction evervone conperned should learn a lesson that
we may not have to learn over again and that lesson is that if we are not
prepared to destroy communal hatred, cOftimunal hatred is surely
pr^ured to destroy hs. It would be multi-headed obstinacy on the paH
of Government to refuse to take this ot that step simply beeaniew similar
BEUAKD FOB UEAMS.
[25th Seft.
step in not beinjf ,, taken in other provinces. This is tantamount to say
that Government would not prevent crimes in this province, because
other provinces are not taking- steps to prevent their crimes. It is nothing
short of perversion of democratic party Government.
Mr* SPEAKER: It seems that we will not be able to finish this
demand to-day, because there are a few members who want to speak
and the Hon ’hie f’hief Minister will have to give an exhaustive reply.
<Thk Hon'hle Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy: Not exhaustive.) The tramcars
will stop at half past five and there is no other means of communication.
J want to know whetJier the honourable members would like to continue.
(Cries of “No, no”.)
Mr. MIHIR LAL CHATTOPADHYAYA: Sir, I want to say one word
in connection with the cut motions moved.
Mr. SPEAKER* Then you want to continue the discussions. You
will finish in one word; another gentleman will want to finish his speech
in two w'ords, and third in three w'ords.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. S. SUHRAWARDY: Sir, I won’t take much
time of the House. I would like to say something not only regarding
motions that have been moved, hut also al){)at the motions that have not
/been moved. These relate to some of tlie important grievances which
the lionourahle members entertain. Although 1 do not think ihat much
good will come out of the discussions on the floor of this House, I shall
he most happy if lionourahle members will communicate their views to
me and I shall look into the matter. Sir, take the case of Hatiya and
Sandwip. 1 am aware of the difficulties oi communication there. I
liave already taken some steps in that behalf. If the honourable member
representing those islands will communicate his views to me I
shall tell him what the difficulties are and how we jiropose to surmount
them. So, this will also apply to the various other cut motions which
they have not been able to move. I think tht‘ contact h(‘tween myself
and the honourable ineinhers, although tlH\\ are sitting on the opposite
side of the House, will be much closer than before and that they w’ill not
feel that this Ministry is liostile to them.
Sir, it lias been suggested by an honourable ineniher tliat the Ministers
have no constructive suggestions to offer n'garding planning. It is
rather regrettable that after all these years of jiublic service, we should
at this stage he absolutely devoid of any idea or any conception of the
needs of the l^rovincc. I think, Sir, if the honourable member looks
at the programme w hich 1 outlined when I assumed ' office of Chief
Minister, he will find much there which will give food for thought and
will also clear up any misconception that he may ha^e in his mind.
Sir, there is a plan called the o-year plan, as all honourable members
know, which is estimated to cost Hs. 10(1 crores. The honourable
member suggests that thi.s will come out of the Congress fund and the
Congress will be the fmttress of this fund. Unfortunately that is not so.
Ks. ()9 crores w'us set apart for the (tovernment of Bengal before the
CongrCvSS (lovernment came into pow'er. This sum was given to us
by the late Government in view of the backwardness of the JProvinoe of
Bengal and on account of the fact that she has not been able to develop
hermdf due to the iniquitous financial settlement under which
she has suffered. It wiM also jiroposed to increase this grant in order
to enable her to make up her position. The Bengal Government will
not lose sight of that. Then, Sn-, it has also been suggested that this
money comes out of the cofera of the Kafirs. It really comes, Sir, from
the cultivators who produce the wealth of the country and if ultimately
it finds its way into the oof ers of Government, it does not mean that
the money^' belongs to the Kafirs. I think, Sir, the money beloBgi
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
m
m.]
ore to the true believers than to others. There are nndoubtedly lioliie
iiportant paps in that plan, notably in the industrial field and that i»
ae to the fact that the All-India and Provincial policies have not yat
sen finally clarified. Ain^ther pap lies in the mutter of area planiunp
tid the development of larpe scale hoiisinp, etc. Sir, nwessa^
reliminary investipation is beinp undertalven in that eounectiun. It
necessary to decide on proldems of major policy such as fn^eninp of
ind value, and problems affeClinp local bodies befort* the schemes to
11 up the paps refeiTe<i to above can be taken up.
Now, Sir, another honourable member wanted (hat price of jute
lould be raised to Hs. 4(1 per maund. I am really surprised to hear a
lember from the t»pposi(e side makinp that assertion after the Nehru
overnment, w’hicli he considers to be bis own (lovenunent in New
►ellii, has turned down every proposal to increase the price of jute.
(Vies of “Shame, shame" from the Ministerialist Benches.) Sir, I want
) tell the House tlu‘ complete history of it. So fur as this Government
I c{)ncerned, (iovernment wa.s of the opinion that the price of jute
[lould not lie control le<l this \ear ami that (lie cultivators should be
ermitted to receive whatever price was dettoinined hy the law of supply
ad demand. Tlie (iovernment of India pressed upon us to revise our
alicy, hut we have relust-d (t» do so. (Mu. DiiinKMUU N \UAYaN
fuKHKKJKK: When'') That was. Sir, betore tiie Nidmi (iovernment
ssumed otiice and now ail<‘r tin* Nehru (lov(‘rmm‘nt eaine into ])ow*er
e leceived a letter I loin the t iovernment of India in which they insisted
n the present control ol prices hemp maintained ((’lies of “Shame,
huine" Iroiii (he Treasui.\ llem hes i and suppesteil that the Government
houhl ]>ass lepislation tixiiip the price at its pres(‘nt level. 1 hut
.'a.s due to (In* fact that wc said that in tutuii*, wc wetc not prepared
0 pive that power to the ( iovernineiit of Imlia. 'rhe\ turther snppested
hat in ordei to snn that pi ices were niaintamed at this level
h(*\ inteinb'd to coeice tin* people heie and force the control of price
f\ 1‘onlroilinp «\poits. and (fn*\ were pomp to S4*nd to eouiitries outside
lily that jute which was purchased at controlled prices, namtdy, at
•rices at tliis level and the jute purehaseil at hipher rates would, not be
xporte<l outsiile. It is eleai that tin* intention of the ( iovernnieiit of
ndia was to fon-i* the (iovernment of Benpal to k(*ep the prici* at this
evei and t<» export jute outside. (Interruptions bv Opposition members.)
The situation w'ould therefore take* a serious (uin, so tar as fin* prowers
ire concerneil. The jufe would thus remain in the hand of tln^ cultivators
vho will be coinpellcrl to sell it at the firesent prici^s. (Interrup-
tions.) The Oovernincnt oi India— I mean (he prem*nt Government,
ind not the old one — asked us (ln1^*rniption.) (Mii. DniKKNOHA
Vaiiayan Mckiikiukk- Win*!!?') I think about 7 ilays hack, to keep the
)rice down. We wrote to that Goveinm<*nt to meet us at a conference
)ver this question, because we saw' that if they carried out thia
X)licy of coercion our cultivators would not pet even the present price
vhich they are peltinp. They arc here at the present moment and we
ire havinp conferences with them. They have suppested a certain
increase — a very small increase at that —
Mr. DHIRENDRA NARAYAN MUKHERJEE: Did they recommend
iny inciease and ha.s a deci.sion been arriveil at?
The Hofi’ble Mr. H. S. 8UHRAWARDY: No decision has been
taken. On (he other hand, 1 suppose honourable memberu do know that
there was a meetinp at Delhi presided over by Mr. C. liajapopalacharia
ind attended hy Ih*. llajendra Brasad and other members of the Cabinet.
There w^ere also jute mupnatos like the BiHas present in that conference,
and there it was deciiled that if the price of jute was to he
iiicrea.sed, it shouliT not more than 2o per cent, of the present rate.
Wbat I am pointing out to this House k Hint a resoliiiioii Uks Aa
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
f resent one coming from the Congress Benches is nothing but mala fide.
t is meant for political purposes only. We know what is to be done in
a matter like this and leave that to us. (Interruptions.)
Mr. NIHARENDU OUTT-MAZUMDAR; Did any Minister or any
representative of the jute growers attend the conference?
The Hon'bln Mr. H. 8. SUHRAWARDYs Yes. You are certainly
not the rej)rt*Mentatives of the jute growers, you are simply the persons
who take the money. I do say most definitely that those members who
are supporting the Ministry are the true representatives of the people
un»l they are going to suggest steps for their betterment. While' on the
one hand we want to increase the price, the Government of India on
the other is coercing us to keep the price down. So there will be fight
with the Government of India on this issue, but the result will be that
our cultivators will not get even the price wdiich they are getting at
present. Therefore, I think, we have to choose a middle course.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT*MAZUMDARs Will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to tell the House whether the Bengal Government representative
was present there?
Thn Hon’bln Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: This conference was no
conference at all. As u matter of fact he asked them whether it was
a conference, and they said that it was not a conference, but that they
had met together and made the decision. AVe invited a conference,
however, in my room with two representatives of the Government of
India. Fonnerly, the Chief Minister and two other Ministers of this
province went and saw Sir Gurunath Bewoor, when he was the member
in charge and placed before him the views of the Government of Bengal
and after that we had no conference at all with the Government of India.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: So you allow the jute
growers’ ]>ositimi to go by default.
Tha Hofl’bl6 Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDYS 1 think the position is
quite (ijear. So far as we are concerned, we do not propose to attend any
conference called by the Government of India.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR; Do we understand that due
to the political rancour of the Government of Bengal, the Bengal jute
growers’ interest has been sacrificed by the Bengal Government — (Loud
noise from the Government side benches.)
Tha Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: I do not wish to refer to
any political rancour either of the Congress or of the Muslim League
but if you say that we have sacrificed the interest of Bengal jute growers
on account of our political rancour, and if \ou wish to hear in reply to
^ut, I must siyv that that charge can be definitely levelled against th©
Congress Interim (iovernment. But I do not wish to level it. But if
you ^0 on to do so, then 1 must say that due to political rancour th©
Interim Government was trying their best to bring down the price of
jute here.
Mr. ilOCfi8H CHANDRA GUPTA; Then wh^ not accept this motion
and strengthen your hand?
Mr. NIHARENDU- DUTT-MAZUMDAR; But a countercharge does
not absolve th© Bengal Government that it has sacrificed the interests of
th© Bengal jut© growers—fLoud cries from the Muslim I.eague benches.)
TN Hon’bto Mr. H. 8 . 8UHRAWARDY: Sir, I do not want to
impute any motive on the members of th© Government of India. It ia
not for to aay that they are doing it on account of any politioal
They are doing ap, because they oonaider Umi U ia in the b«ft
1946.1 ’ DEMAND FOB QEINTS. 8ft
interestH of the country, and in that connection they have to oonaidor
inanj' factors. They have to consider the effects of inflation, the fact
of getting foodgrains from other countries and they have got to increase
the prices of other commodities. Rut if you talk of political rancour,
then 1 tell you that even if any charge cun he levelled against anyhody,
it cannot be levelled against us. 1 hope the tloveriunent of India will do
their duty hy this time.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: If Sir tlurunath Bewoor —
(Ai this stage there v\as tremendous noise from the (fovernment henchea
as well «s from the ('ongress side in which the voices of Mr. Dutt-MaEUindar
and the Hon’hle the (’hief Minister were drowned. 1
Tha Hon'blo Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: 1 find that on the one side
some honourable members want that the minimum price of jutt^ should
be raised to Us. 411 per maund and on the other side the (Juvernment of
India says that the\ would keep the price down to the present level,
i can tell them that the price of Hs. 4(1 per maund will not he accepted
hy the Interim (Jovernment which is a (lovernment of their party —
(Loud noi.Hc from the ( ongre.ss benches.)
A reference has been made to the Howland (’ommittce’s report. So
far as that report is concerned, I must confess that we have not been
able to examine it with that care which it requires. We have not Iwen
very long in otHce and more than that we have hail to snend a pretty
long time in formulating and discuHsiug the develojunent plan which we
consider to be of very great importance. Undoublcdly. us it has been
pointed out that in order that this ilevelopment plan may succeed, in order
that we may spend the money allotted, the administrative machinory
has got to he increascil. We are hmking into tin* matter and considering
the question of increasing the number (d officers and wc are also arranging
for the building of smaller circles in order that a circle (dlicer muv be
able to give inoic time ami attentii)n to it.
Sir, we ha\e taken a m»te id the piunts whiidi bavi* bi*en raiseil by the
member (d the Kuropean group. Tin*) are ViTy vuluahle ami I eaii assure
him that each point will be ilul\ cimsiib*reil b\ ioir ilepartment.
Now, Sir, a refererici* has been made abimt the pay of the Librarian
i)i the Assemble J)iq>arlment He i*. an idlicient in*rsfm. but unfortu-
nately the pa> ot tin* Lnbiariaii is tin* pay attaidieil ti> the ])iml
ami md a ])ay fixed in consideratiiui ot Ihc i’dicii-my oi (he present
Lihrariaii. At the same time, 1 shall be ghul ti> dism.ss the mutter
wiih you. Sir, to see if anything can be <lone. |{i*gariling this matter,
however, I can only say that this pay was agri*iil to hy the tlicn President
and Speaker. I need hardly refer tf» the other aHsisfantH, because I
believe that the Speaker has got the right to give special allowances to
thiise employees who had been in the Legislative JKqiurtmcni and who
have niiw got to woik hard beyond office hours. Bui 1 must say there is
compen.sation <m the (dhc? -nide as w<dl, because for the major portion
i)f >ear they have not got cmmgb work ti» ilo. As regards compensation
•for baril wi»rk bcyoml office hours, wc ilo not grudge it t(» tluun if they
really deserve it.
As regards the suggestion made that I intereferecl with the work of
(he police in one instance, f may tell them that tlie persons regarding
whom I went to the l^ark Street station were not under arrest and
consequently it was not necessary for me to interfere on their behalf.
As regards the ,Subdivisional Officer of Kislioreganj most of the charges
against him refer to the multi-purposes societies, f regret that
I cannot agree with the honourable member’s charges against him, but
I am prepared, if the honourable member pass those charges on to me in
writing, to enquire into and consider them. But 1 may tell you that
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[25th Sept.,
100
this SubdiviHional Officer m a pioneer in the experiment of establishing
Consumers’ Co-operative Societies. Sir, these are things which are
considered to be of great importance and if tliis experiment succeeiis, I
shall have it considered by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies
whether instead of condemning him, he will have to be put up as a
pioneer in tliiit direction. Indeed I am personally in favour of the
establishment of consumers’ co-operative societies in various parts of
Bengal, and I think members opposite will agree with me.
As regards Indian Christians, 1 wish to say this that if there are able
men they will certainly he taken up. I do not think that any Indian
diristinn who could have j)assed the competitive examination has been
turned down, because he is an Indian Christian. But I am quite prepaied
to tell the honourable member that whatever may be the stress
that is made on the Muslitns, Scheduled castes and the caste Hindus. I
can assure the mim»rities in this House that so fai as this Ministry is
ct>ncerm*d this Mi?iistry will pay special attention to the minorities and
I can say from m\ position in the House that Muslims will he even
jirepared to give up some of their rights in order to see that the minorities
are pr(j]u*rl> encouraged. This I know is the sense of our party
and I am sun* that the mitH»rities will .iccej)! m\ bona tiiles so far as
this assuiance is f'one«‘rned, I am sun* \ou will liave to accept my
bona tidi*s It is not for the purpose ot getting the lionourable gentle-
man’s vote. As a mutter of fact, that lionouiable gentleman voted
against us in the no-contideiicc* motions But 1 do know what is the
view of this Ministry and what is the view ot the part.N behiml this
Ministry and 1 sa> categoricall> that W(* are in svmpath> with them and
we shall continue lo siqiport and encourage them in ever\ ]M».ssible manner.
1 hope that the House will pass tin* grant.
The motion of Mr. Himal (’omar (ihose that tlie demand ot Ks. 2,T2,49,()0t)
for expenditure under the head “25 — (leneral Administration — General
Adininistration” be n*duced by Us. 10b, \'as then ]uit and lost
The motion of Mr. Bhupati Majumdai that the demarni of
Rs. 2. 72, 49, (MM) for expenditure under the head ‘ '25-— (leneial Administra-
tion — General Administration ’’ be reduc(*d by Us. 100, was then put and
lost .
Tlu* motion of Mi. Ashutosh Mallick that the demand of
Rs. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head “25 — General Administra-
tion leneral Administration” be reiluced by Us. 100, was then put and
lost.
The motion of Mr. Kamal Krishna Ray that the demand of
Rs. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head “25 — General Administra-
tion — 4b*neral Administration” be reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and
lost.
The motion of Mr. Cburu Chandra Bhandari that the demand of
Rs, 2,72,49,(HM) for expenditure under the bead “25 — General Administra-
tion — General Administration*’ be reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and
lost.
The motion of Rajtmdra Nath Sarkar that the demand of
Rh. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head “25 — General Administra-
tion — General Administration” be reduced b> Rs. 100, was then put and
lost.
The motion of Mr. Manoranjun Dhar that the demand of
Rs. 2,72,49,000 for expenditure under the head “25 — General Administra-
tion~~General Administration” be reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and
lost.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS,
1946 .]
The motion of Mr. Mihir I.jal ('hattopadhyay that the deSMiid of
Rs. 2,7‘2,49,{)(K) for expenditure under the luMid ‘“if) — Uenerul Administni-
General Administration*' be reduced by Ks. 1(K), was then put and
lost .
Tlie motion of Mr. Dhanunjoy Ro> that the demand of
Rs. 2.T2,49,(HM) for exi>enditure under the head “2f)— (leneral Aclminiatra-
tion — General Administration*’ be reduced b\ Us. 10(1, was then pul and
lost.
The motion of Mr. Haran Ghandra Ghosh (’howdhur> that the demand of
Rs. 2,72,40.000 for expenditure under the head “25 — General Administra-
tion — General Administration” be reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and
lost.
The motion of Mr. Ganendra Chandra Hhuttatharjee that the demand of
Rs. 2,72.40,000 for expenditure under the liead “25 — General Administra-
tion — General Administration” be reduced h\ Rs. 100, was then put and
a divi^ioll taken with the followinjf result: —
AYES-^.
Adhikari, Mr. Amulya Chandra.
Bandyopadhaya, Mr. Pramatha Nath.
BanarjM, Mr. Gablndalal.
BanarjM, Mr. Susll Kumar.
Barman, Mr. MohinI Mohan.
Baiu, Mr. Hamanta Kumar.
Batu, Mr. Jyoti.
Bhandari, Mr. Charu Chandra.
Bhattacharieo, Mr. Ganandra Chandra.
Bhattaoharjaa, Mr. Munindra Nath.
Bhattaoharyya, Mr. Shyamapada.
Birtha, Mr. Bir.
Bota, Mr. Satish Chandra.
Chakraborty, Mr. Banoda Chandra.
Chattopadhyaya, Mr. Mihir Lai.
Oat Gupta, Mr. Surath Chandra.
Datta, Mr. Dhirendra Nath.
Da, Mr. Kanai Lai.
Dhar, Mr. Manoranjan.
Dolui, Mr. Harendra Nath.
Dutta, Mr. Sukumar.
Outt-Mazumdar, Mr. NIharandu.
Ganguli, Mr. Bapin Bahari.
Gayen, Mr. Arabinda.
Ghosa, Mr. A. K.
Ghota, Mr. Bhnal Oomar.
Ghoth Chowdhury, Mr. Haran Chandra.
Guha Roy, Dr. Protap Chandra.
Gupta, Mr. 4 , C.
Mahanty, Mr. Charu Chandra.
Maiti, Mr. Nikunja Bahari.
MaJhI, Mr. Niihapatl.
Majumdar, Mr. Bhupati.
Mai, Mr. Itwar Chandra.
Malilok, Mr. Afhutoah.
Mandal, Mr. Annadapraiad.
Mandal, Mr. Bankubahari.
Mukharji, Mr. Dhirandra Narayan.
Panja, Mr. Jadabandra Nath.
Pramanik, Mr. Puma Chandra.
Pramanik, Mr. Raiani Kanta.
Ray, Mr. Kamal Kriihna.
Roy, Mr. Dhananjoy.
Roy, Mr. Harandra Nath.
Roy, Mr. Kiran Sankar.
Sarkar, Mr. Prafulla Ranjan.
San, Mr. Dabandra Nath.
San, Mr. Satindra Nath.
San Gupta, Mri. Nallla.
Sinha, Mr. BImal Chandra.
NOES~1t9.
Abdul Ahad, Dr.
Abdul Awal, Mr.
Abdul Aziz Munthi, Mr.
Abdul HaAz, Mr. Mirza.
Abdul Nal, Maulana.
Abdul Nakhn Mia, Mr.
Abdul Hakim Vikrampuri, Mr. Md.
Abdul Halim, Mr. Moila Mohammad.
Abdul Hamid, Mr. A. M.
Abdul Hannan, Mr.
Abdul Karim, Mr.
Abdul Khalaqua, Mr.
Abdul Mannan, Mr. Fakir.
Abdul Momin, Mr.
Abduliahal Baaui, Mr. Md.
Abdur Rahman, The Hon'Ma Mr.
A. F. M.
Abdur Rahman Khan (alias Nuru Mia),
Mr.
Abdur Rasohid Mahmaod, Mr.
Abdur Rashid, Maulana Khondkar.
Abdiis Babur Khan, Mr.
Abdus Salam, Mr. McU
Abul Kalam Shamsuddln, Mr.
Abut Masiid, Mr^ Kati.
Ahammad All, Mr. Mir.
Ahmad Ali Mridha, Mr.
Ahmad Hosain, The Hon'bla Mr.
Ahmad Kabir Chowdhury, Mr.
Akbar Ali, Maulvi.
All Ahmad Khan, Mr.
Anwara Khatun, Mrs.
Arif Chaudhury (Dhanu Mia), Mr. Md.
Asan Ali Muktear, Mr.
Azizur Rahman, Mr. Syad.
Badiuzzaman Muhammad llias, Mr.
Bafatuddin Talukdar, Mr. A. K. M.
Barman, Mr. Haran Chandra.
Barury, Mr. Dwarka Nath.
Emaduddin Ahammad, Mr.
Eskandar Ali Khan, Mr.
Faziul Karim, Mr.
Failul Qadir, Mr.
Faslur Rahman (Mymanslngh), Mr.
Fazlur Rahman (Noakhall), Mr.
Gladdinc, Mr. O., C.I.E.
ftomas, Mr. 0.
Habibul Huq, Mr. Syad.
MaBzuddIn Cheudhurl, Mr.
Nasaan All, Mr.
DEMAND FOB OBANTS.
[ 25 th Sept.,
MMtm Ally, Ktum Sahib.
Haywood, Mr. R.
Hutan Ara Begum.
Iliae All Molfa, Mr.
Kabir Ahmed Choudhury, Mr.
Khairat Hoeealn, Mr.
Khuda Bukhfh, Mr. Md.
Lutfar Rahman, Mr. Dewan.
Madar Bux, Mr.
MaAzuddfn Ahmed, Mr.
Muhammad Afzal, Khan Bahadur, Syed.
Mahammad Owals, Mr.
Mahammad Sayeed Mia, Mr.
Majfbar Rahman, Maulvl.
Malik, Dr. A. M.
Mandal, The Hon’ble Mr. Jogentfra Nath.
Martuza Reza Chowdhury, Mr.
Maiiduddin Ahmed (aliai Raja Mlah),
Mr.
Mazharui Haque, Mr. Abu Taiyab.
Mobarak Ail Ahmed, Mr.
Mohammed All, The Hon’ble Mr.
Morrill, Mr. I.F., O.B.E.
Mozammel Hoiiain, Dr.
Mudaiilr Hoiiain, Mr.
Muhammad Hablbullah Chaudhury, Mr.
Muhammad Idrii, Maulvl.
Muhammad lihaque, Mr.
Th(" Ayes heinj? 50 and the Noes
The inolioii of the Hon’ble Mr.
Rh. 2,72,4JI,(>0() he j^ranted for expe
Adiiiinifltratiou — (feiieral Adniinistruti
Mr. SPEAKER: The reinainin^^
tomorrow.
Muhammad Quaeam. Maulm Hajl.
Muhammad Qumruddin, Mr.
Muhammad Rukonuddin, Mr.
Muhammad Siddique, Dr. Syed.
Muzaffar Rahman Choudhury, Mr.
Nawab All, Mr.
Nazir Hoiiain Khandkar, Mr.
Nurazzaman, Mr.
Oiman Gani, Khan Sahib Md.
Panlruddln Ahmed, Mr.
Pentony, Mr. L. R.
Ray, Mr. Nagendra Narayan.
Salim, Mr. 8. A.
Serajal Haque, Mr. Syed.
Serajuddin Ahmed, Mr. (Midnapore).
Scrajiic'cNn Ahmad, Mr. (Qalbandha).
Serajul lilam, Mr.
Shamsuddin Ahmed, The Hon’ble Mr.
Shamsuddin Ahmed Khondkar, Mr.
Shamiuddin Sikdar, Mr. Md.
Sharfuddin Ahmad, Mr.
Stark, Mr. A. F.
Suhrawardy, the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8.
Tafazzal All, Mr.
Wilkinson, Mr. G.
Yusuf Hoiiain Chowdhury, Mr.
Zahur Ahmed Choudhury, Mr.
12, the motion whh lost.
H. S. Suhrawardy tluit a Hum of
liture under the liead “25 — General
n” was tlien put and a^^reed to.
(lernami for stands over till
Adjournment.
The House was then adjourned at 5-45 p.ni. till 2 p.m. on Thursday,
the 2f)ih Septeinl»er, 1040, at the Assembly Hou^'e. (’alcutta.
1946.]
Proceedings of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled under
the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935 .
Thk Assembly met in the Aftsemhly Houhe. ralcutta, on Thursday, the
26th September, 1M6, at 2 p.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon’hle Mr. Ni rvl Amin) in the Chair. 7 lluu'ble
Ministers and 192 members.
STARRED QUESTIONS
(to which oral answers were given)
Construction of cheaper houses in Calcutta.
*54. Or. SURE8H CHANDRA BANERJEE: (/) Will the llou'lde
Minister in ( liar^^* of the Depurtiuent of [/m uI Self>( ioveruinent be pleased
to state whether it is u fact —
w) tlijit att<*r t!ir la.st rons«> ii» 19-11, tin* pop\ilalion of (hileuttn has
risen from 29 lakhs t<» 49 lakhs;
{It) that due to lack of uecoininodation people are IxMnjt: huddled to|^ether;
{lii) that this coiulition eontinuinj^ an epidemir of a very serious nature
is likely to hap]»en ; and
(/r) that due to slnuta^fe und exeessivi* pri<e of huildin^'' materials very
leM new houses aie ludn^ eonstrueted in the eity^
</>) If the answer to {a){ir) is in the afljrmuli\e, will the Hon’hle Minister
be pleased to state what steji'. he has aln'udv taken or projioses to take to
relieve eonjrestion in the city hv m.ikinn eon'iti uctioii of new liouses eheaiier
and easi(‘ry
{(') Has the (rovernnient any plan to undfutake any sncli e.onstruetion
itself
{(I) 11 so, will th(‘ Hoii’ble Miiiist«‘r Im* pleased to state the nature of the
plan and when it is likely to be executed ?
MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of LOCAL SELF.
GOVERNMENT (the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali): ia)(i) The population
of Calcutta has risen from l,12d, 790 in 19'»I to 2,970,019 in 1941, aeeordinff
to the Census Reports.
(ii) There is a dearth of a<Tonimodation in the city.
(Iti) Overcrowding; and conseciuenf unhealthy surroundings foster out-
breaks of ejiidemies.
(f'r) Yes.
(b) Cfintrol of bricks has Imhii lifted. The (Government of India have
been moved to lift petrol rutioninj; and thereby to make transport cheaper,
as well as to counter hoarding by eheckinp; stocks of steel, especially section
ateel.
• (c) Proposals for rehcmsin^^ of bnxter dwellers, industrial labourers, and
the middle class population are under examination.
(d) The proposals include erection of quarters for industrial labour by
employers with Government asHistanee; buildir;^ of workers’ tenemenlH in the
city; building of suburbs or satellite towns; and renovation of existing
dwelHngs^by landlords. The agencies to be employed wdll be Government,
the Calcutta Iraprevement Trust, the Caleutta (.’orporation and private
enterprise.
QUESTIONS. .
[ 26 th Sbpt.,
m
Mr. DEBENDRA HATH SEN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
to state, when the examination of the proposals is expected to be completed,
and when actual work is going to be taken up?
The Hofi’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The examination of many pro-
posalK has been completed and we have started work. But all the proposals
nave not yet been examined ; most of the proposals however, have been
examined and we are now in the process of starting work.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
to state which of the proposals have now got the sanction of Government
and are in the process of being translated into practice?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir. if the honourable member
will refer to answer (d) he will find that so far as provision for the construc-
tion of tenements for the poorer classes of families are concerned, Govern-
ment have examined the proposal of the Calcutta Improvement Trust, and
have sanctioned about 6 lakhs of rupees as subvention, and work will be
started very s(M)n by the Calcutta Improvement Trust. So far as the acqui-
sition of lands for our own construction is concerned, we aie starting the
land ac(|uisition proceedings. The first step, that is to say, proceedings
for the acipiisition of land have been taken iij). and immediately we are in
possession of those vacant lands, we shall start our construction. We have
also set in motion our machinery for the preparation of plans ami estimates
for the construction of these tenement flats.
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Will the lion ble M mister be pleased
to state what inmiediate steps he ha«^ taken or propos(‘s to take in view of
the fact that a large number of Muslim bustee.-i have been destroyed during
the recent f Calcutta riot, for the purp<Kse of pro\iding housing accommoda-
tion to such displaced bustee duellers?
Tht Hon’bto Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, ue hav(‘ taken that matter
also in hand. VVe have a list of about 40 vacant lands, or ahnosl vacant
lands, and it is now propo.sed by (jovernmeiit to secure as man^ of them as
possible. We have now at our disposal o\er and above the quimiueiinial
sanctioned amount, u sum of rupees om* crore for works to be undertaken
by tlie Housing Hoard. Before the Hou.smg Board is constituted we pro-
pose to acquire as many lands as possible that have been rendered vacant
recently. In this connection we have got two schemes — one short term and
the other long term. So far as the short term scheme is concerned, we
propose to take nissen huts now available from the Military and in these
we will aeeonimodate the displaced |)ersoiis and refugees of the last riot.
We also propose to construct temporary huts out of the .salvage materials
available Ironi the Military on vacant bustee plots. They will also serve
as a sort of short term plan for the immediate nousing of displaced persons
as a result of the last riot. I hope the honoiiruhle niemWrs will realise
that it is not jiossible to start the work of construction on all available
vacant lands. So far as our long term proposals are conreriied, I have said
that our plans and estimates are being drawn up and our construction will
start as soon as possible,
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon'ble Minister
be pleased to state wdiut will be the eompositioii of the Housing Board which
he just referred to in his lust answer?
The Hon’hle Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 think 1 have stated on more
than one o<‘casion on the floor of this House that the Housing Board will
be composed of ex]iert8. Government officials and non-officials.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: In view of the widespread
communal distrust prevalent in this Province, will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased* to state now does be proimse to ensure that the Housing Board
will be free from any communal bias?
1946.] QUESTIONS. m
Mr. SPEAKERS That question does not arise. It is a matter of
opinion.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUOHURY: Will the Hon’bie
Minister be pleased to state as to where the lands have Wen ae<i\iired for
the short term and long term plans— in whic h part of Cah nttuy
Thd HonHlIo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I have already stated that we
have a list of about 40 such plots of lauds submitted by the Chairman ot
the Calcutta Improvement Trust, and by the Mayor of* the ('aleutta Cor-
poration, and by various other ottieers who are in charge of relief opera-
tions. We have now asked the Land Aec|uisition Collector of Calcutta to
accpiire all those lauds tor us. After we have uccjuired we shall start our
short term as also the loi^f term scliemes.
Mr. FAZLUL QADIR: Will the Hon'hie Minister he pleased to state
whether he is going to localise these destitute peo]de -Hindus aud Muslims^
in the same liut or in separate Huts.
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: It is a matter of policy on which
no decision has been arrived at. We hope to c'ome tcc n decision aft<‘r the
Housing Hoard has been conijxcsed.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR GH08E: Will the lioirblc Minister he pleased
to say what is the nuinbc'r of the people he ex]»eclh to be le-lmused as u
ri'sult <cO ot the short term scheme* under consideration and (h) ot the long
term scheme umh*! considciation I''
The Hon’bte Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: 1 :un ufiaicl. I am unable to
give a reply at this stage as to how man\ pt*ople we will be aide to uc’coni-
inodatc* as a rc‘sult (d llie short term .scbeim* and the* long term seheine.
Tile short term -cdieines arc* of two kinds, namely, (;) buying ot nisseii lints
from the Military, aud {in constructing ot tem|M»rary huts out of (he
salvage matc‘rials available* troin the Military.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: With ret erem-e to aiiswc‘1 ill) will the
iHon'blc' Minister be pleased to state* what is the mituie ot < ieivewumcnt
assistance that would he available in this c’onnection r'
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Is the Hon'ble me*mhe*r rederring
to indu.-'trial labour?
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: If that kind of assistama* is proposed
to be given, yes; aud if there an* other forms of assistance. I want to know
what are those for each case.
The Hon’bte Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir. 1 eaiinot undei stand what ii*
in the honourable inember’.s mind. Is In* referring lc» bousing the industrial
labour?
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CH08E: Is it the intention ot <bcveriimt*nt to
give assistance to all kinds of labour? It so, then I want to know about
the nature of assistance proposed to be given to e*ucl. kind of labour. Hut
if it is only in c'onnec tion with industrial labour, then it is only in regard to
that matter that 1 want to know.
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: We propose to give assistance
not only to large employers but to pulilie tHulies as widl. Wc* have given :i
substantial sum of !{?». ."),90,0(Kt to the Calcutta Improve‘me*nl Trust for
building houses for hustee dwellers. If our aHsi.stanee is asked for, we
pro}H)se also to g’ive contribution or subvention to the (’abulta improve-
ment Trust and the Howrah Municipality, but the e.ondition attacdied to
these grants is that the plans and estimates have to be appro\c‘d by the
(loverninent and on our apfiroval of the sc-heme we give grants or subven-
tions to a public body and similarly we are agreeable U) ^ive financial
assistance to large employers in the matter of housing industnal labour.
QUESTIONS.
[ 26 th Sept.,
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: Will the Hon^ble Minister be pleased to
etate if the original consideration, namely, housing of Hindus in a Hindu
majority area and of Muslims in a Muslim majority area will be given
effect to in connection with the short term scheme?
Mr. SPEAKER: I think, the Hon’ble Minister has already given
answer to that.
Mr. ABDU8 8ABUR KHAN: I submit, Sir, he only referred to the
long term scheme. He was not clear as to the immediate short term plan
which is going to be given effect to.
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: T have already said that that is
a mutter t)t j)oli(‘y, but no decision has been arrived at as yet by the
Government; and so far as this policy is concerned, it will depend very
largely on the conditions prevailing when we have these temporary
structures available for housing.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Witli reference to answer (d) relating
to the proposal of erection of (|Uarters for industrial labour, is it the idea
of Government to insist ui»on every employer to erect sufficient quart. ‘rs so
as to accommodate all their employees, or is it to erect houses irrespc'ct ive
of what number of employees are covered or not ?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: So far as this matter is 4-onccrn-
ed, no definite pnigramme or policy has yet been laid down. It is a matter
in which the Government of India and the Government of Bengal aie still
in negotiation. We (‘xpect the Government of India to lay down certain
principles on which the policy of hottsing all industiial labour can be
carried on by the I’rovincial Government. But there has been siune dis-
agreement between the Government of India and the Gov(‘rnm(*nt of
Bengal primarily on the question of rent tliat will have to be charged.
The Government of India lays down certain standard ot rent whicdi is more
or less the economic rent, but the (rovernment oi Bengal insist on a lower
rate, that is a subsidised rale, so that it may be more or less in eonforinity
with the standard of rate at which the labour ] people are at present
accustomed to pay.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon ble Minister
be pleased to state whether Government has formed anv estimate of the
numbtw of industrial workers for whom bousing aceommodation is needed
and a plan has to be formulated?
The Hcm’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I eann(»l answer this question
because this matter is being dealt with by the Minister in charge of
liahour, Oommerce and Industries Departments.
General elootion of the Bankura district board.
•55. Mr. KANAILAL DE: («) Will the Hon'ble Mini.ster in charge of
the Department of Ixical Self-Government be pleased to state whether the
general election to distiict board, Bankura, baa long been overdue?
(h) If the answer to (n) is in the affirmative, will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state when the next election will be held?
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM (on behalf of the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed All); (a)
Yes.
(h) The matter is under (onsideration of Government.
Mr, KANAI LAL DE. Will the Honl^le Minister be pleased to state
whether a representation has been filed by certain members of the District
Board?
mt. 8. A. 8ALIMS Yes.
1946.]
QUESTIONS.
29t:
MFi KANAI LAL DE* Will the Hon’hle Minister be pleased to state
whether Cloveinment is contemplating postponing the election at present?
Mr. $• At SALIM: A representation has boon received from a large
number of members in this conneeiion.
Mr. KANAI LAL DE: Sir, my (juestiou has not been answered. My
question is, whether Government is eontem plat lug postponing the election
for the present?
Mr. S. A. SALIM: The representation i> iimlcr the consideration of
the Government.
Dismissal of a process-server of Contai Criminal Court.
*56. Mr. 8URESH CHANDRA DAS GUPTA: Will the Hon'ble Minis-
ter in charge ot the Uevenne Department 1 k‘ pleased to state---
{a) whether he i'' aware ot the Im t that a jn*oeesf,-.sei \i‘r named Suroudra
Nath (ihosal ol the ( oiilm (‘timinal (h>nrt has la'en disirrissed from
service on the 'JDth lirne, UM4;
ih) what are the reasons tor disrrrissul; and
{(') it the reasons are siitheient tor .sneli a dismissal nnder the circum-
stances ?
MINISTER in charge of the REVENUE DEPARTMENT (the Hon’ble
Mr, Saiyed Muazzamudain Hosain): u;) Yes.
ih) The charges were insnhordination and neglect of duty.
(c) The Hoard ot Uevenne has since .set aside the ordm tor dismissal of
the process-server and directml Ins reinstatement in .service.
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DAS GUPTA : ’trrTtq
the Broard of Kevruiur' fRAtersa ?
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAUAMUDDIN HOSAIN: The ehaige
was insiihoiHlrtialion. But the charge did not eon'-titute any in.suhor’di na-
tion heeau^e he was aske«) hy the Suhdivisioiial tttticei’ to eleaiise his hieycle.
But it was not his usual diil> , arnl so the Broeess-server dnl not commit any
neglect ot duty or insuhoidination hy refusing to <lo that.
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA : Suplenmntary (|uoHUon, Sit*, vll
? Brorress mjrvorJi mi JR \
’mj W ^or,— -i] »ifci ctr circular ff jti ?
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H088AIN: Not at all
necessary.
Abolition of zamindary system of Bengal.
*57. Mr. MOBARAK ALI AHMED: (<i) Will the llon'hle Minister in
charge ot the Department of Lairrl and LhikI Uevenne he jrleased to state
whether the Ministry eonlemplaies the aholition of the //arnindarv system
of Bengal?
(b) If the answer to («} is in the atfirniative, will the llon’ble Minister
be pleased to state —
(t) when they inter.d to take np the matter; and
(ti) when the Bill is likely to be introdiu^ed in the Iiegislaiive Assembly?
MINISTER in otiarga of tha DEPARTMENT of LAND and LAND
REVENUE (di# Hsn’bM Mr, iaiysd Moazzam^in Hosain): (a) Yes;
Oovemment have accepted in principle the main recommendation of the
2Qg QUESTIONS. 't26TH Sew.,
L*nd Eevenue Commission to bring the actual cultivators into direct relation
with the Stat^ by acquiring the interests oi all rent-receivers.
i^h) Necessaiy proposals for legislation are under consideration. Every
attempt will be made to introduce the Bill in the next Budget Session.
Certificate system in Khasmahal.
*58. Mr. PRAMATHA NATH BANERJEE: Will the Hon’ble Minister
in cdiarge of the Itevenoe l)e|rartnient be pleased to state —
(a) whether it is a fa<*t that the rent realisations by certificate system
in khanuAihal areas have been al)olished or are not in vogue in all
the districts of Bengal;
{h) it so, will the Hon’ble Mini.ster be pleased to state why the certificate
system still exists in (^)nlai subdivision : and
(r) whether Government is considering the desirability of abolishing
the certificate system in Contai subdivision?
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN HOBAIN: (a) No;
application of the certificate procedure for realisation of rent in khasmahuls^
W’hich was siisneiided in April, l9dS, was re-intioduced throughout the
Province since December, 194'h
{h) and (r) Do not arise,
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Will the llon’hle Mmistei he pleased
to state, with reiereuee to answer (o), why the application of i-ertificate
proia'dure was re-introduce<l since 194*1?
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: Because it
was thought necessary both in the interest of the ruiyal and the Govern-
ment. It was found that tor realisation ot rent if Govei iiuient had to go to
the Civil (h)urt, then the ruiyuts could not retain their lioldingh at all.
Generally they W(*re saddled with costs and other thin^is so mueli that the>
could not save their holdings, and <‘ons(‘quentl> it was aKo tound that it
was mole (luiek and so Government realisation would he better it this pro-
cedure is folh wed.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Will the llon^hle Minister be pleased
to state if landlords applied for eertifieate procedure and if they were
ffranted the right of certificate during this period?
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: 1 cannot
say if they had applied.
Murder of two young boys at Parbatipur.
•89. Mr. KHACENDRA NATH DAS GUPTA: {a) Is the Hon ble
Minister in charge of the Home Department a'\are of a recent incident of
murder of two young Iniys of 12 aiui 1*1 years of age at Parbatipur?
(6) Will the llon’ble Mini.ster be pleased to state if the murder is con-
nected with a class of ])eo)>le desi'ril)ed as Kafri?
(c) If the aliove ullegtHl murder actually hajipened, will the Hon'ble
Minister lie pleaseil to state —
(t) what steps had been taken to bring out the real offender or offenders
to light ; ^ ^
(m) whether any enquiry was made into the matter; and
{Hi) if so, with what result?
{<i) Will the Hon’ble Mini.ster be pleuvsed to state —
(i) whether there had been lately any other murder case at Parbatipur;
and
(ft) what steps, if any, he intends to take to stop recurrence of such acta
* of muraer at Parbatipur?
1946.] QUESTIONS. m
Mr. ABDUL KABIM (on Miilf of tho Hon'Mo Mr. H. i. •iiiiriiiardy)s
(ff) Yes.
(6) No such conuH'tiou could lie traced .
(c) A case under section 302, was started and duly investigated.
The case remained undetected and a final reixirt true under aection 302, l.P.C’.,
was submitted by the Police which was accepted by the Magistrate.
{(]) (i) No.
(it) Does not arise.
Mr. NIHARENOU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will tiu Hon hie Minister
be pleased to state whether in connection with these imirdcTs any susjiec'ted
persons were taken under arrest?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: No.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon hie Minister
he pleiised to state wlietlicr Government made any attempt to take dying
statements from those boys?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: The whole case veas duly investigated. I cannot
say whetlier dying ^tatements were recorded
Mr. NIHARENOU OUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon hie Minister
fie pleased to state whether au\ attcunpt was made to ascertain the where-
abouts of the culprits and to take* them andcu* arrest jiending investigation?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: The culprits ccrnld not la* d<‘tected.
Mr. SPEAKER: 1 think the answer already given < overs this question,
because when investigation was held it means tliat an attempt was made to
arrest the culprits, and then the final report was submitted which wa»
accepted by the Magistrate.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon hie Minister
lie pleased to state who was the officer placed in charge of conducting this
investigation?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 cannot say ofthand. 1 want notice.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon'ble Minister
be pleased to state whether Government deputed any sficcial officer for tbiA
purpose or it w'as left to the ordinary officers of that jurisdiction?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: It was done by tlie UkiuI poiicj? in co-operation
with the military authorities.
Irrigation projects in Dinajpur.
*60. Mr. HASSAN ALI: Will the Hon'ble Minister in charge of the
Department of Irrigation l>e pleased to state, regarding the Dinajpur
district —
{a) how many irrigation projects (with a view if) grow more food) have
been extended up till now ;
(h) how many acres of lands l>eionging to private persons have been
acijuired for the iiurpose and at what costs;
<c) whether prices of these lands have been paid to the owners as yet;
(d) if not, why not ;
(e> what results have been achieved fiy means of these works;
(/) whether any measures have been taken with regard to any of the
irrigation works for safeguarding from any harm that might be
done to the cultivable lands concerned; ai^
(g) if not, why not?
800
QUESTIONS.
minister in ohtrg* «f ^ OEPARTMEHT (tl»
Hon*WeMr.A.F.M.AbdurRaliinan); (a) Nineteen
(6) Four hundred and forty-five acred at an estimated cost of Rs.l.S.o.OUU.
(c) and ‘th No. l.and acquisition proceedinffs have not yet been
comph'ted.
ie) Ami henefifecl is 4,8(K) acres (approximately).
if) Yes, wherever considered necessary.
{g) Does not arise.
Mr HA88AN ALl! With reference to answer (d) will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state when the land acquisition proceedings will be
completed F
The Hofl'ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: I ask for notice I
cannot give the answer ofl’hand.
Hours of work and length of holidays In Cowemment offloee.
•81. Mr. 8. K. 8AWDAY: Will the Hon’ble Minister in charge of the
Chief Minister’s Deimrtment be pleased to .state—
(a) (i) whether the recommendations of the Bengal Administration
Enquiry Committee, 1944-45, with regard to hours of work and
length of holidays in Go^ eminent offices have been—
(1) accepted, and
(2) implemented,
(ii) if not, why not;
(b) what are the present hours of work in the Bengal Secretariat; and
(c) what steps ha\e been taken to ensure that these hours of work are
observed by all Government officers F
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM (on behalf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8uhrawarify) :
{a){i) The recommendations have been accepted with modifications and
implemented.
(ii) The seven-hour working day recommended by the (.’ommittee has
been adopted but the recommendation that work in Government offices should
start at 10 a.m. has not lM‘en accepted in view of the vei;} real inconvenience
that would thereby he caused to the large niimlier of assistants who are daily
passengers and attend Calcutta offices from the suburbs.
The number of Government holidays by executive order has been some-
what curtailed but it has not been found feasible to akdish such holidays
altogether as that would cause inconvenience to the litigant public who
would lie forced to attend the courts on the days of their festivals.
(h) The hours of work in the Bengal Secretariat ar^ from 10-40 a.m. to
5-HO p.m. on week days and 10-30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
(c) An assistant who arrives late has to report immediately to the
Assistant Secretary of his department and an assistant wishing to leaye early
has to obtain the permission of the Assistant Secretary. Gfficers have been
instructed to take disciplinary action against these assistants who habitually
come late to office. ^ '
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKAIM: In view of the answer <ii),
will the Hon ’hie Minister be pleased to state if the Giivernment think it
desirable to introduce the Indian Standard time instead of the Bengal
Time?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: The matter is under the consideration of the
CkiTmmineiit.
1946 .]
QUESTIONS.
m
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: Will the Uon’ble Minister
be pleased to state how long the OoTernment will take to make this deoi*
aionP
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: 1 cannot give you any date but it NVcmld be done
very shortly.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hun'ble Minister be pleased
to state what is the net result of having curtailed some holidays by executive
orders and the Government not finding it feasible to abolish these holidays?
Mfa 8« A. SALIM ■ The point is that they are getting more days for
work.
Mft BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Have holidays been curtailed at uU aa
a net result?
Mr. S. A. SALIM: *Ye8, for the benefit of Government.
Ratio of appointment reserved for members of Soheduled Castes.
^S2. Mr. HARAN CHANDRA BURMAN: Will the iion ble Minister
’O charge ot the CMiief Minister’s Department l>e pleased to sialti —
(«) what is the present ratio of appointment in services for the Scheduled
Castes in various departments of the Bengal Government and
the actual statistics of the same;
(6) whether the Scheduled Castes ratio in appointments is fulfilled in
every department ;
(c) if not, whether the vacancies are kejit reserved for the Scheduled
Castes aiiplicants ; and
(d) if not, the reason thereof?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM (on behalf of the Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. Suhrawardy) s
{a) According to the Communal Katio Kules the ratio is If) per cent. The
actual statistics are not readily available.
(b) Yes, as far as practicahle.
(cl and (d) When qualified Scheduled (’aste candidates are not available
to fill up iiosts reserved lur that community, such posts are tilled up by
memliers of other c.oniirmiiitieH in acconlunce with the i>r()viHionH contained in
rule 10 ot the Coiiiinunal Hatio Rules.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: WiU the llon’hle Minister he pleased
to state, if any Scheduled Caste candidate is not available in Bengal,
whether it is the practice of the Government to have Siheduled (htste can«
didates from other provinces as is often done in the case of the Muslim
candidates?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: The usual practice is that a notification is made and
applications are called for. If suitable candidates do not apjdy from out-
side Bengal, then the rule is not observed.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Wil) the lloirhie Minister be pleased
to state if suitable candidates often do apply from othi r provinces or notP^
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: As far as ni.\ information goe^, yes,
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon hie
Minister he pleased to state whether he is aware that on the 10th June,
1045, Mr. S. B. Bapat, Joint Secretary to the Government of Bengal, in a
memorandum admitted that on many occasions posts reserved for one com-
munity are given to the other community on the plea that suitable candi-
dates are not available though actually applications are lying in the
Writers’ BuildingsF
QUESTIONS,
r26TH Sett.
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM: Tea.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH GHAUDHURYl Will the
Hon^ble Minister be pleased to state what steps Government took or pro-
pose to take for the infringei^^ent of Communal Ratio Rules like this?
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM: Government is contemplating to appoint an officer
shortly to go into the question of the Communal Ratio Rules.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Honble
Minister he pleased to state what steps Government generally takes when
a post reserved for one comifjunity is oeing usurped by another community
by a process like this?
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM: When a post is reserved for a particular community
and mialified candidates of that community do notaipply and have not been
found, then according to rule 10 of the Communal Ratio Rulc.s, the appoint-
ment is thrown open to everybody.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: That was not my
question. When a post reserved for a particular community is usurped by
another community by underhand means, then what hapjauH?
Mr, 8. A. 8ALIM. No information to that eft'ect has been received by
Governimuit and if such a case is brought to the notice of the (joveriimeut,
that (|uestiori will be looked into.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Is Governmen^^ aware tliat in tlie
Hindu society the backward commuuitie.s are known as Scheduled (’astes?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: Yes.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Will the Hon'ble Minister con-
.sider the desirability of giving preference to tliose (‘ommunities?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: They come under the category ol the Hindu com-
munity and not under the category of the Scheduled Castes.
Mr, DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Does Government consider the
desirability of giving preference in the matter of appointment to such
communities when they make appointments?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM • From the quota ot the Hindu community.
Mr. BNOY KRISHNA 8ARKAR: Will the Hon’hle Minister be
pleased to state whether communal ratio has been observed in the Court of
Wards estates?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: No. Sir.
Mr. FAZLUL QADIR: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased to state
how many davs before the last date for receiving applications are advertise-
ments generally given?
Mr. SPEAKER: I am sorry I could not follow the question.
Mr. FAZLUL QADIR: How many days before the last days for sub-
missitin of applications ^ advertisements given?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: As far as advertisements are concerned, they depend
more or less u|H»n the rules framed by the Ihiblic Rerviije Commission and
they are advertised in all the prominent papers of the province.
Mr. ABOU8 8ABUR KHAN: What is the margin between the date of
advertisement and the date of appointment?
(No reply.)
QUESTIONS.
m
1946 .]
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleesed
to state, if a suitable candidate for a poat reserved for a particular com-
munity is not available within the province, whether it is the Government's
policy to import somebody from outside of that community or to throw that
post open to other communities in the province?
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM: As far as possible, attempt is made to get the candi-
date from the province. If it is not found possible, then candidates apply-
ing from other provinces are also given preference.
UNSTARRED QUESTIONS
(answers to which were laid on the table)
Dying rivers in SuncMten ares.
15. Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: (a) U the Hou'ble Minister in
charge of the Department of Iriigation aware- -
(i) that the rivers in the Sundarban urea of the 24-Parganas are
gradually silting up, thus creating easy conditions for floods and
other problems;
(ii) that the river Jamuna in the Basirhat subdivision of 24-Parganaa
has almost silted up ;
(ill) that the river Peali in the Alipore Sudar subdivision has completely
silted up;
(ir) that as a result of the complete silting of ihe Peali, extensive and
permanent water-logging has taken place covering thousands of
acres and laying waste valuable agricultural land; and
((’) that such silting up and water-logging have created unJavourable
liealth conditions and helped tlie spread of malaria and othei
diseases ?
(0) If the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, will the Hon ‘hie Ministej
lie j»least*d to state —
(i) whether the Government propose to make an enquiry into thi
jiroblem of dying ri\eis in the Sundarban area; and
(ii) whether the Government consider it desirable to take inunediab
stejjs for reopening the channels of the .lamima and the Peali am
for preventing water-logging by cutting suitable diversioi
canals?
MINISTER in charge of the IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT (til
Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. Abdur Rahman): (a)(i) No. Except the uppe
reaches of the Peali and the Matla and some smaller channels.
(ii) Yes.
(ui) and (iv) A portion of the upper reaches of the Peali river has silte
up. This has resulted in the drainage congestion of a part of the uppe
basin.
(v) The figures for malaria mortality in the Sadar, Basirhat and Diamon
Hai^ur submvisioDB during the 5 years 1941-4o, show an increase over th
previous quinquennium, but this increase might have been due to oth<
conditions that prevailed in the Province during that period. J am, bov
ever, infonned that the death rate from malaria in these areas has come dow
considerably from the beginning of 1945. Silting up of rivers and wate;
logging have, I understand, little direct bearing on the spr^ of oUu
diseases.
(b) The whole matter is under investigation. After the investigation
complete, Government would decide upon the measures to be taken for tl
20
304
QUESTIONS.
[26th Sept.,
revival of the Jamuna. Ae for the Peali, a scheme for its improvement is
under investiMtion and model experiments are being made in the Bengal
River Researcn Institute.
Mr, BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Will the Hon’ble Minister be
pleased to state if he is aware that at many places in the Sundarbans bunds
have been breached because of the silting up of river channels P
The Hon’bis Mr, A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: Yes, I am aware of
that.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: In view of tlie answer just given,
will the Ifon’ble Minister be" pleased to state if he is considering the desir-
ability of having an exte^ive survey as to what rivers and what channels
are (being silted up in this fashion?
The Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: Yes, a detailed survey
is being made.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Will the Hon’ble Minister be
pleased to state if he is aware that as a result of recent rains there bus
been very extensive waterlogging in the Sonarpur and Baruipur areas?
The Hon’blo Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: Yes, I myself went
there. I myself have seen the place and 1 have taken steps to provide
relief. With regard to water-logging I have consulted the Chief Engineer
and we are devising some means as to how can relieve the cougeHtiou ot
water.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: With leferonce to answer (b) and
M'ith reference to the answer just now given by him, will the Hon ’hie
Minister be pleased to state if he has received any suggestions from his
department as to how this solution of water-logging can he made imme-
diately?
The Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: It is being examined.
I took the Chief Engineer with me, but he could not give me any sugges-
tions offhand. In answer (b) the suggestion there has been made in con-
nection W'ith the .lamuna. With regard to (he IVali at jiresent we are
having a model experiment in the Bengal River Research Institute. I
think the model experiment wdll take about a couple of months to he
completed, and us soon as the result of the model experiineut is known, we
shall he able to do something with regard to this river.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: 1 understand that is a long term
proposal. In view of the. statement made will the Hon’hle Minister be
pleased to state if he is considering the desirability of adopting some short-
term proposal for letting out the flood water that is standing in those areas?
The HOffi’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: I do not think any
short-term measure will help in removing the congestion of water. At
least that is the opinion of my Chief Engineer.
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state how many schemes are under investigation of
Government at the pre^nt moment and how many years will they take to
complete the investigation? ^
Mr. 8PEAKBR: That question does not arise, because the main ques-
tion generally refers only to rivers in certain areas.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHA: Will the Hon’ble Minister be
pleased to state if jbe has under his examination any scheme regarding
re^cavation of t^e river Jamuna in the suiniivision of BasirhatP
1^.] QVESTIONS. M
The Hon'We Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMARt Yes; it i» under
investigation.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA SINHAs Will 4he Hon’ble Miu^r be
pleased t<) state as to when that scheme will come up for final decision ?
The Hon'ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: 1 am sorry 1 cannot
give you the exact date.
Pey of ohowhidan and dafadars of Ftridpur diotriot.
16. Dr. BUREBH CHANDRA BANERJEE: (a) Will the Hon ble
Minister in charge of the Department of Local SelLGovernment l)e pleased
to state whether it is a fact —
(i) that the District Magistrate of Faridpur has of late given an order
to the effect that the pay of chowkidars will be raised from Its. 7
to Ks.l4 and that of dafadars from Hs.lO to Rs.^O a month and
that the additional exiKMise is to bo met by increasing taxation,
the rate of which will not bo fiat but vary with individuals; and
(it) that the maximum tux chargeable by the union Ixiard is Us. 84 a year
and that the tax already charged from the few rich men within
a union is already near the maximum limit?
ihj Does the Hon’ble Minister consider the desirability of asking the
District Magistiate of Faridpur to sus^nmd the exo«’ution of the order
increasing the union rate for so long famine conditions persist?
MINISTER in charge of the DEPARTMENT of LOCAL SELF-COV.
ERNMENT (the Hon*ble Mr. Mohammed Ali): (a)(i) The District Magis-
trate, Faridpur, has given an order —
(1) raising the {ki> of chowkidurs and dafadars as stated, and
(li) directing that the increase in expenditure shall lie met jiartly !»>'
decreasing the numl>er of chowkidars and dafadars and jiartly by
proiier assessment of rates on |K*rsons who are at present under-
assessed.
(lO It is a fact that the muxlinum tax (union nile) assessahle on a jwrson
is Us. 84 i>er year. Only a very small number of rich iHirsons within a union
pay the maximum union rate. There are other ricn jjorsons who are at
present under-assessed.
(6) In view of the fact that only the {lersons who are under-assessed and
are going to be pro[)erly and reasonably us.se,ssed in order to give relief to
the ill-piiid chowkidars and dafudai.s who are hard hit by the increased cost
of living, it is not contemplated to ask the District Magistrate to susirend
the execution of the order for increasing the union rates of such iiersons.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARdEE: Will the Honble
Minister be pleased to state if it is a fact that the District Magistrate of
Dacca has issued a similar order?
Mr. SPEAKER: That does not refer to the question at all.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA B H ATTACH ARdEE: Yes, Sir,
does.
Mr. SPEAKER: CJertainly not. The question refers to certain orders
of the District Magistrate of Faridpur. That cannot refer (o all the orders
of all the District Magistrates in Bengal.
. M**. OHIRENDRA NAXH DATTA: In view of the disturbed situa-
tion in tbe rural areas of Eastern Bengal dees the Government consider tha
desirability of increasing the number of ebaukidars and dafadars?
306 QITESTIONS. [26th Sept.,
Mr. S. A. SALiMt iliere is another scheme of Government for the
formation of a volunteer organisation.
Mr. DHIRENORA NATH DATTA: In view of the answer will the
Hon'ble Minister be nleased to state how the necessity of increased tax can
be justified if the oraer pf the District Magistrate was to decrease the num-
ber of chaukidars and dafadarsf
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: As far as the District Magistrate is concerned, he
may increase the chattkidars and dafadars to see tne work of a particular
union. That does not concern all unions. As far as the distribution is
concerned 7 chaukidars are necessary for work in a union, but the District
Magistrate may think thaft chaukidars are necessarj' for any particular
area.
Mr. DHIRENORA NATH DATTA: Does the Hon’ble Minister con-
sider the desirability of giving effect to the recommendation of the Chauki-
dari Enquiry Committee r
Mr. SPEAKER: That question does not arise. That is again a general
question; that doet tfItA form part of this question.
Mr. A. F. STARK: Does the Government consider the desirability of
commending the ezmnp4e of the District Magistrate of Faridpur to other
districts y
Mr, S. A. SALIM: The question will receive due consideration of
Government.
Disposal of Agmark gheo in Rajshahi.
17. Mr. PRAVASH CHANDRA LAHIRI: Ui) Will the Hon’ble
Minister in (charge of the Department of Agriculture, Forest. s and Fisheries
be jjleased to state whether he is aware —
(i) that a large quantity of Agmark ffher was indented to Rajshahi in
March, J 945; and
(ii) that no steps were taken to get the said product consumed hy this
time?
(5) Is it a fact —
(i) that the f/htte has by this time decoinpu.sed and become unfit for
human ccmstimption ;
(i/) that requests to examine the ^Acc have not been heeded to;
(in) that for the last 3 or 4 mouths sweetmeat vendors have lieen compelled
to purchase the said //hee ;
(ir) that the food committees objected to the sale of this «lecoraposed
Agmark ffhee on hygienic grounds; and
(v) that the controlled price of certain sweetmeats have been increased?
(c) If the answers to (a) and (6) are in the affirmative, will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to consider the desirability of making an enquii^ into
the matter and taking steps against the officer or officers concerned if any
responsible for deftotf^poaition of such product and disposing of the derom-
IMised commodity to the sweetmeat vendors?
MINISTER ill ohafga of tlio DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
FORESTS aiKl FISHERIES (Dit Honnilo Mr. AhMOil Homiii)t (a) Of
the 00 maunds of allotted to Rajshahi, 40 marnids were tid^en
by the dealers. The arrangement was that the ffhee would be sold by
dealers nominated by the Collector. The Town Food Committee was first
asked whether they Wotld agree to handle the commodity, but on their
unwilltngiiese to do ao, tfk cmeo irai made over to ordinary traders for sale
in the open markel.
1946.]
QUESTIONS.
m
(h) (i) No; there is no undisposed of stodk.
(n) There was no such request.
(ia) No.
(ir) A report was received hv the Collector in May, 1946, that the
quality of the undisposed stock had deteriorated, but no objection wa«
received from the local public health authorities.
(r) Government have no information.
(r) Does not arise. *
Mr. PROVAS CHANDRA LAHIRI: Will Uuni|)le ^
pleased to state the reasons, if any, (five* by the itaxl epininitteM’ for their
unwillingness to handle the comnuKlity?
The Hon’ble Mr. AHMED H088AIN: I have not got any reasons.
introduction of logielation with regard to firngal Fiihertee.
18. Mr. ABDUL HAKIM VIKRAMPURI: (n) Will the Hon’bie
Minister in charge of the Department of Agricul^piv be pleased to state
whether he is considerirnr the de.sirahility of intrmlucing a comprehensive
Hill with regard to the Bengal Fisheries^
(h) If the answer to in) is in the affirmative*, will th^* Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state whether he is considering the desirability of introducing
the Bill as early as possible?
The Hoo’Mo Mr. AHMED H088AIN: (a) A Bill to provide for close
seasons for the protection and preservation of fishes is under ironsidemtiOn
of Government in the Fisheries Department. AiioUier Bill to safeguard
the rights and interests of fishermen is also under epnsideratiou of Govern-
ment in the Lund and Laud Revenue Department.
(h) Yes.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Is the iion'blc Minister aware that
large tracts of valuable agrieultuml lands in the of IM-Barganai,
particularly in the Suudarbun areas, are being turned ipto hhenesY CVltW
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: 1 am not aware of that.
Mr. AMULYA CHANRA ADHIKARY: Will the Hon bie Minister
be pleased to state whether the object of the Bill is fp convert the ftslipries
into a capitalistic concern and to convert the nsherniep in^ labourers undgr
those capitalists?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: The Bill has not yef been druffed- I am unable
to anticipate the provisions of that Bill.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTTA MAZUMDAR: Will Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state whether Government is making any attempt to elicit the
opinion of any Fishermen’s Organisation before making provisions of the
Fisheries Bill?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Tee.
Mr. NIHARENDU DATTA MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state what Fishermen’s Organieatiune are being consulted by
Government for the purpose of eliciting itich opiaiimP
Mr. AjBDUL KARIM: I have not got a list of all the Fishennen’s
Organisations here. I want notice.
Mr. ABDUB BABUR KHANt WUi Uu; Hoi»1>le Uinkier be pleased
to state what is understood by the word ^beries” as used by Mr. Sinhaf
m
PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERS. [ 26 th Sept.,
Mr. SPEAKER: I disallow that question; that has already been
answered.
Mr. A. T. MAZHARUL HAQUES Will the Hon’fcle Minister be
pleased to state whether he has taken notice of the fact that a Bill reg^ulat-
ing the fisheries of Bengal was given notice of by one of the members of
the Ol)posiiionP
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I cannot follow; repeat.
(The question was not repeated.)
Mr. ABDU8 BABUR KHAN: Will the Hon'ble Minister be pleased
to state if he is aware that hheries are constructed around the agricultural
lands more to prevent the saline water from entering inside than for the
puiqiose of catcning fishP
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: Yes.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA BINHA: In view of the answer given to my
question that valuable tracts of agricultural lands are being turned into
bherien, will the Hou’ble Minister oe pleased to state if it does not conflict
with the Grow More Food policy?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: It is a matter of opinion.
Mr. NIHARENDU DATTA MAZUMDAR: Will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state with regard to the latter pari of his aqawer regarding
the rights and interests of fishermen whether the Bill will embody provi-
sions on the same principle as in the case of rights and interests of culti-
vators in land with a view to securing the fishing rights of fishermen?
Mr. BREAKERS I can tell you, Mr. Dutta Mazumdar, that you will
got iufficient opportunity to discuss tiia matter when the Bill will come up
before the House.
Mr. NIHARENDU DATTA MAZUMDAR: In the answer the Hon’ble
Minister states “another Bill to safeguard the rights and interests of
fishermen is also under consideration”.* And, Sir, I am therefore entitled
to elicit from the Hon’ble Minister whether with regard to these rights and
interests Government would consider the desirability of drawing an analogy
of the sunip model as the rights and interests of the cultivators in lands
with a view to ensuring the fishing rights and interests of fishermen in the
fishing areas of Bengal.
Mi ABDUL KARIM: I would request the honourable member to put
this question to the Revenue Department which is dealing with this matter.
Mr, ABDUB BABUR KHAN: Is the Hon’hle Minister aware that there
18 a legislation from the Forest Department by which fishermen catching
fish in the Sundarbans areas are to be levied a certain tax?
Mr. ABDUL KARIM: I want notice.
Mmagn.
The Secretary then read the following message: —
“That the concurrence of the Bengal liegislntive Assembly be asked to
the Calcutta Disturbances Commission of Enquiry Bill, 1946, as
passed by the Bengal Ijegislative Council, at its meeting held on
the 20th September, 1946.”
Prtviiig» nf MnniBtrs.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDARl Six. I raised a matter
3^terdav with regard to the infringement of members’ privilege to which
you saia that, so far as rules were concerned, you considered yourself in
1946.]
PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERS.
a Lelplesa poaitii^, with a view to compel compliance of the Hon'ble Minis-
ten concerned, m respect of Rule 24 relatincc to the members' riffht of
putting Questions and getting answers to them. Sir, I find that you are really
not so helpless as you thought yourself to be yesterday. T would invite
your attention to Rule 116 of the Assembly Procedure Rules.
Mr^ SPEAKERS les, I know that. You need not read the rules, but
simply submit your arguments.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: 1 submit that it is perfe^Hly
within your power to give such directions or orders as you may con-
sider n^essary with a view to compel com|)liance of the department con-
cerned in making them honour members* privileges given them utider Rule
24. It is for you to consider what orders or directions would be appro-
priate in this connection. What I would suggc.st, Sir, is this that you
Diay be pleased to consider framing certain orders and directions with" a
view to compel that the Hon’ble Ministers shall hondhr the privileges \mdor
Rule 24. In this respect, Sir, 1 would request you to be good enough not
to drop the mutter to which I drew your attention but to Vefer it to the
Committee of Privileges, and in consultation with the Committee of Privi-
leges frame such orders and directions as you think adequate to compel the
compliance of the Hon’ble Ministers with the provisions of Rule 24. You
said yesterday that you did not find anything in the rules which specifically
laid down any manner whereby you could do what 1 ask yon, vSir, to'do.
\ou have beeis given full powers to devise bow exactly you can ofimpel
compliance of the Hon’ble Ministers.
Mr. SPEAKER: Do you refer to Rule HI?
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: No, Sir.
Mr. SPEAKER. Yes, I know it ii Rule 24, but are you referring to
Rule HI also? ^
Mr. NIHARENDU OUTT.MAZUMOAR: Yesterday I referred to
Rule 24 — but Rule HI also helps us in the matter. 1 therefore think that
in view of the grave calamities we have suffered, tliese privileges are of
great value, both to members of this House and to the public in general.
I therefore submit to you. Sir, that thisjnatler which 1 raised yesterday,
and which I raise again today in this context should not he dropped without
any remedy being furnished. 1 would like, Sir, that you nmv he pleased
to tell the H^ouse what course you propose to adopt. My humble suggestion
is that the Committee of Privileges which is soon going to be tdectea «ay
be the instrument through wlii«*h y(ui ran get the suggeslions, assistance
and co-operation of all sections of the House, and ullimately, Sir, decide
as you think pn)per what orders and directions Mill be adequate to compel
compliauoe of the Hon’ble Ministers with the privilege given us unoer
Rule 24. And this, Sir, is an essiuitial jjoi nt. As for uie j>articular ques-
tion in relation to which I raised this matter, I was informed by the
Assembly Department that that question may be treated as an ordinary one
if I agree to it. I have intimated my agreement to that effect, but I mink,
Sir, it will be impossible to get an an.Hwer in the course of this session,
unles-s, Sir, you may be pleased to give direction to that effect in view of
the fact that notice had already been given as early as 14th of August, and
this question may be answered before the termination of the present session,
so that op Jtbe floor of the House before the House prorogues we get an
pswer oU this point; and, as vou will have noticed, Sir, from the question
itwlf, it 18 a grave matter which should have been answered before. I
submit it s^uld in any case be answered before this session is over. So
my submissions to you are two; (t) on the point of the exercise of your
p^ers, and ( *0 to ensure that the question to which I gave notice on the
jHth— «nd which was conununicated to the department on the 14th— may
without fail be answered before this session is over.
810 COMMITTEES OF PRIV. AND PTJB. ACCOUNTS. [2era Sbpt.,
Mr. SPEAKER: So far aa the general question is concerned raised by
Mr. Dutt-Mazumdar, I feel it affects the funaamental right of the members
of this House, but tfs rules stand now I have not Ibeen able to find myself
properly arm^ to compel compliance to answer questions, or taie action
according to the wishes of the members. I shall certainly take into serious
consideration the suggestion given by Mr. Dutt-Mazumdar whether any
solution can be found out, out of these rules, and, if necessary after consi-
deration the mafter may be referred to the Committee of Privileges. So
far as the particular question referred to by Mr. Dutt-Mazumdar is con-
cerned, I snail ask the Hon'ble Leader of the House, who is not present
here, what he proposes to do in the matter, or to such person who may be
working in his place if he comes to my Ohamber and discusses the matter
with me.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: I thank you. Sir. I will
also request you to take into consideration the fact that the question is not
of such a nature and there is nothing in it which may delay an answer
being given tomorrow if the Hon’ble Minister wishes to reply,
Mr. FAZLUL QADIR: I have got a similar grievance. I put ques-
tions as far back as June last, but I have not heard anything as yet.
Mr. SPEAKER: It will strengthen my hands if all the memlbers join
hands in the matter and make it a common cause.
Committaei of PriifilogM and Public Aooounts.
Mr. SPEAKER: Members are aware that the polling for the Election
to the Committee of Privileges and the Committee on Public Accounts has
been fixed on Friday the 27th September, 1946. But I have received a
representation j^ointly signjjd by the threy Chief Whips of the Government,
Congress and European Parties. They nave agreed to select the following
personnel to the two Committees mentioned above and desire that no formal
flection is necessary on the 27th September, 1946. I do not think there
Is any objection of the House in the matter and the agreed list of names of
memoers may be formally declared elected.
Committee of Privileges,
(1) Mr. Aulad Hossain Khan.
(2) Mr. Hassan Ali.
(8) Mr. A. F. Stark.
(4) Mr. Jasimuddin Ahmed.
(5) Mr. Bewan Lutfur Hahman.
(6) Mr. Hafizuddin Chowdhury.
m Mr. Asan Ali Muktear.
(S Mr, J. C. Gupta.
(9) Mr, B. N. Batta.
(10) Mr. Banku. Behari Mandal.
(11) ’ Br. Prolhp Chandra Guha Boy,
Committee on Public Accounts.
(1) Mr. Akbar Ali.
(2) Mr. Sbarfuddin Ahmed.
(3) Mr. S. K. Sawday. ,
(4) Mr. Hafaibullab Cbow^hury.
(5) Mr. Mohammad Rafiqne.
(6) Mr. Amar Kriahna Oooab.
(7) Mr. D. N. Mukberji.
(8) Mr. D. P. Khaitan.
IjM l DEMAND FOR GRANIS. 811
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
IS-OthMr Tu« and Dutiai. '
The Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the recommiinSatioii of
Hift Excellency the Governor. I bejf to move that a sum of Rs. lOiOltOOO
be granted for expenditure under the head — Otlier Taxes und* Duties’*.
Mfe DHIREHDRA NATH OATTA: Sir. I lie^ to move that the demand
of Re. 10,01,000 for expenditure under the head “l*i — Other Taxea and
Duties” be reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for nu»ving this motion ia to
raise a discussion about not abolishing sales tax (^s demanded by tha traders
as well as by the con.suining public .s|)*M‘iully in respect of ueoeaaary
commodities of life, namely, cloth, medicine, etc.
Sir, I do not like to make any speech, but I commend my motion for
the acceptance of the House.
Mr. SUSHIL KUMAR BANERdEE: Mr. Speaker, m opposing the
main motion I like to speak a tew words. The sales tax was imposed in
1941 and it was settled then that it would be only one piee. At that time
there w*as a great opposition in the country, both in the Press and on the
platform, but the Government said that in view* of the war situation and
in order to balance the budget they required it and so the Is^gislature
assented to it. Since then H became 2 pice. Then it increased to ♦*] pice.
This year an attempt was made by the Government to make it one anna in
the rupee. There was again a hue and cry, and the Opposition both from
the Press and the platform created such a strong feeling in the country tliat
the Ooveriiraent had to stop and did not venture to proceed with it.
Now ^ain, Sir, in the Budget expenditure has been iiuTcased over this
head by Rs. 1,04,000 over the lust year’s actuals. In this way the Govern-
ment is playing ducks and drakes with the publu* money. Sir, the sales
tax has greatly affected the people — the poor and the ricli all alike. It
makes no distim^tioii between the communities, it has affected both the
communities — Hindus and Muslims. Sir, this Ac t ban endangered even
the barest necessaries of life. It has increast‘d tl»e cost of essential com-
modities of life: it has increased the cost of inedi^‘ine, of cloth and of all
other necessaries of life.
With these words, Sir, 1 support the motion for reduction of the demand
by Its. 100 moved by my honourable friend Mr. D. N. Datla.
The HonHile Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I rise to oppose the out
motion moved by Mr. Dliifeudra Nath DatUi. He has referred to the
question of the imposition of sales tax on cloth and medicfiie. He is per-
haps aware that we have a schedule of exemptnms and in the list of
S<‘hedule8 there are all articles which are ne(*essary for the poorer sections
of the people. And even so far as cloth is concerned, a certain standard
has been exempted and handloom clotb has lieen exempted. Therefore I
think the honourable member will realise that this imposition of sales tax
is not meant for poorer people who are not able to l>eat; the bur4en.^ Thie
is a system of tax which is more equitable than income-tax, l^ecause it is a
tax on the purchasing power of the individual. Whatever be the purchas-
ing power of the individual in my opinion no other just and equitable lonn
of taxation than this can be devised. Therefore there should be no gruds^
for the payment of this tax for the improvement of the condition ot tne
masses.
Sir^^ao far as the criticisms of Mr. Susfail Kumar Banerji are concerned,
with regard to the establishment and other expenses of the department, I
think he will realise that this demand is for only 10 lakhs whereas we expect
a receipt of 3 crores, that is on an average of one crore per pice per rupee
of taxation. Government had proposed to increase the tax from 9 pies
to 12 pies in the rupee, but as a result of vehement protest from traders and
312
DEMAND EOS GEANTS.
[26th Sept.
$bopkeeper8 Government a|?reed to keep the tax to the level prevailing in
1945, that 18 , 9 pies in the rupee. At that time Government of course pro-
posed to increase the tax but at the same time they intended to include a
&ffer number of articles in the Schedule of exemption, namely, fresh fruits
and flowers and other commodities. In view of the fact that the rate has
again been reduced, Government have not got a Jarge list of schedule of
exemptions: only one article has been included in the Schedule of Exemp-
tion, namely, fresh fruit.
So far as the question of medicine is concerned, Government have under
their consideration a proposal for exemption of certain class of articles and
items, and I can assure the House that the question of exemption of essen-
tial medicines will be sympathetically considered by Government.
The motion of Mr. Dhirendra Nath Datta that the demand of
Its. 10,01,000 for expenditure under the head “L3 — Other Taxes and Duties”
be reduced by Kh. 100, was tiieii put and lost.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mx. Mohammed Ali that a sum of
Rs. 10,01,000 be granted for expenditure under the head “13 — Other Taxes
and Duties” was then put and agreed to.
38~>M6dical.
Thu Hon’hlu Mr^ MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the recommendation of
His Excellency the Governor T beg to move that a sum of Rs. 3,64,65,000
be granted for expenditure under the head “38 — Medical”.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE: Sir, I beg to
move that the demand of Rs. 3,64,65,0(KJ for expenditure under the
head ”38 — Medical” be reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for my moving
this motion is to raise a discussion about failure of the Government to
encourage (i) Ayurvedic, (it) Hakimi, and (Hi) Homeopathic systems of
treatment.
Mr. KANAILAL DA88: Sir, I l)eg to move that the demand of
Rs. 3,64,65,000 for exi>enditure under the head ”38— -Medical” be reduced
by Rs. KM). The reason for my moving fhi.s motion is to raise a divseussion
about the lack of (Jovernment policy and (ioverninent's failure to have
hospitals in eacli and every union of Bengal.
Mr. CHARU CHANDRA MAHANTY: Sir, T beg to move that the
demand of Rs. 3,64,65,000 for expenditure under the head “38 — Medical”
be reduced by Rs. 100. The reu.'^oii for my moving this motion is to raise
a discussion about the unsatisfactory nature of the working of the Medical
Colleges and Schools of Bengal and institution of an enquiry into it.
I also beg to move that the demand of Rs. 3,64.65,000 for expenditure
under the head ”38 — .Medical” he reduced by Rs. 100. The reason for my
moving this motion is to raise a discussion about the paucity of number of
seats allotted for women students in Medical Colleges and Schools of Bengal
and want of hostels for them.
Mr. HARENDRA NATH DOLUI: Sir, I beg to move that the demand
of Rs. 3.64,65,000 for expenditure under the head “38 — Medical” be reduc-
ed by Rs. 100. The reason for my moving this motion is to raise a
discussion about the failure of Government to introduce the Homeopathy
Systern of treatment in this province during the present scarcity of allopathic
medicine.
Mr. QANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE: Mr. Speaker,
Sir, wwTcw 'flt fffx wwfiv >fWT ^ i fvetrs: wrwi
TO cTOff cf fven cTOf ^ 4i:vrt wmns *ttc?rf2r i
.flifru "W 4^ tot TOfllf ^ fro fcicf i oi ctto ^
IWWT, TOR mm etro to wrw trei fro to,
]#.] DEMAND FOB GBANTS. SIS
ftiy Prescription 'ktto wf ^ T’rir tfrow *irtr<N
^ ^ tt? fro ycT i ^ rnnpftfr 4 t cwi fflt w#i lfi
▼ire *ltw sfi I ▼Tre^ wre r'cir ’nnnfD, 'W fret >nr»»rr<fT,
»rti !fi^ tfcifwH I ▼t? ▼rum m vnm a<re 4rv rtWt tvfV^Jii
tprfro % I ▼tvs ^ (71 ^ tgR 5 jt^*ii ▼m« ▼??▼ 41 : cn ▼! fiM>n
▼ire ▼sn r 5 t (tts^ ^ Jtfre c^ ▼mm n ^ 1 icil ciw ▼tom
n ^Vs cm Rnm c^ ▼m ®rm wc^ ?rw w #ri im c?
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▼m 1 4 s mi f%c?m cn ▼ti/ffm, ?tf^ ^1 crftT^mTfm fsfv^mre ▼tittfi
m ^ (TTTf ▼mt^nTO ^ Allopathic f^>m 75 f^ ▼HR Jn I Cftv
▼tft < 7 T ▼tc^fp^ ill ; ▼Tfsr 95 fkw ▼flft 4 mii «rTfniil m I cftlf^-
•frrfm f^^»n ▼!% ▼?’^ ’npmr m ; ^jrrs 4 ^ dram '$«ni nrs «f ▼m rret w i 4 i^
<71^ ^ I Ilf? C7ff^*rrTf«nr tfSt^ 4mi ¥11 n ^ITT? Wt? WTI ▼17f¥
6 fw Tre m?, 4 T? ▼rrtm ▼wtr ▼'«!? ▼m i ▼t?^ !fren:¥ tfm fc’i^ ▼*pTt<itfc*ti cm
▼irm c^fc^ ^irfiri f¥i ^ofc^tR r?WB c? ▼t^im government 4 t fM^'^nn tff%
^ 4?; ^1 ▼^▼jT ?R (TR JH I ^ arcfT ¥f«*i ?▼ ^ I 4c?cnf government
c? c¥R fwf??r¥^ Trmit? ?tc'i' eve?? : irn > 7 ^?? c? 4c?cn ?f? 4r?t*mfm fMV'^mr ^fww mc¥
^fre? m ; ¥ 1 ?? fm? c?c¥, R?r 5 c^cv ▼:¥▼ 4 C?n ▼tfirfl
fni '5Tc:j ^sma ?r?n Tpn m ▼?! farnsre? 4e?cTi ▼matfc?! cifstV^?).
yrWf ?i (^ff3is’mf?¥. it? tff^ f S^rftrs
¥?T? 4¥Jrr]ii ¥f?? yew c? ¥Te^ ▼rf? at f?:??? ¥<r3 Bit c? 4?Te? tjrerv
▼re? »ryc? ▼t\eY ^TfVIt 4 ?t cyTf? 3 *Trff?¥ ▼?! Irrw? 4 ?: fimr ▼▼ ▼cm
Tin? Te? •sr? tnrT? Tim ▼▼? 1 a?: a? yrre ▼•j?!?? rcis nira, aeven? Tr^tv
4t mK^ifTT, rtfr^ 3 cyrr?3n7Tr?e¥? w,z oM ot? .?!▼ ^' 5 ? ^jr? ▼tfmr? tti 4t m
S^5?r?? Tirr® me? ent Tim government a? ▼fmr m Sire 1 ?f? iftii
4 c?en? w?7rT?r?e‘T? ?Tf?cyr? ¥?i a¥r?t4 firsi tc??. ?(? if?i vr.iniaT^cn? c¥f? ?▼? men? ▼?!
^srer?, ▼tf? f^jr? yf? c? ■^f?i a f^e? ?f¥e^ ntac?? ?i 1 Ttf? Btt c?
nr c?e¥, governmental *fw c<e¥ atsTc? ▼<! cvit c? iT-n a c?cn? wmiiTfc?? m-
cn? ▼?!» Tspn^TTen? ^nrnTe?" at ?▼? rBfTs^TnTfi? tl?®'’’ 1 ▼?! ?e? Tif? ▼Wi
tjTT? Snn? ▼?(», I
Mr. CHARU CHANDRA MAHANTY: Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding
cut motions Nos. 45 and 40 , that is, the uiiHati.sfactory nature of th(* work-
ing of the Medical Colleges and Schools <»l llengai, I would invito the
attention of the Hon’ble Minister and of the llou^e to the fact that in these
days of Indianisation when we are supposed to he on the tbreshhuld of
complete independence, we have yet in the Medieval Ctdlege and Campbell
School KuroiHian Principals and ProfessorH. I’hese genUeinen generally
do not know the language of the province properly to understand the require-
ments of those for whose services they are meant, though fit and qualified
Bengalees are not wanting for those jobs. Even in hospitals, the nursing
staff is beaded by non-Bengalee. This state of things should be remedied.
Regarding admission of students and patients in the Colleges, Schools
and Hospitals, it is an open secret that much jobber>% nepotism and bril>ery
is prevalent. As the seats are limited and the candidates are too many,
such jobbery and bribery and nepotism come into play. Very few patients
are admitted into the hospitals without having paid a fee to the Physician
or Surg^n charge of tne ward in which those are to be admitted. Even
then they are to wait for days and months to get a seat. In the Medical
College more one thousand students applied this year for admission;
so aho in the Campbell School, but only a fraction of them are admitted
314
DjEMAND FOB GBANTS.
[26th Sbpt.,
or in the caee of Campbell Medical School are going to be admitted. It is
often reported that students have to spend hundreds of rupees before they
hope to get admission. There is no end of diseases in Bengal and it
requires an army of Doctors to remedy this state of affairs, specially in the
villages. Hence the number of seats are to be increased both in Schools
and Colleges as well as in Hospita^.
There is a great paucity of proper medicine and instrument in some of
the hospitals. In some cases such easily available medicine as morphia
is at times found wanting. At the time of the Great Calcutta Killing there
was a great want of instrument for giving saline injection to patients in the
Campbell Hospital. The wards of the hospitals are not properly cleaned.
The privies and urinals are not sometimes washed in time. In Campbell
hospital, children’s ward is not properly cared for. Children are not fed
and clothed as they should be.
It is alleged that marks obtained by examinees are sometimes tampered
with at the office according to the money available for the office staff. (Mb.
MtJiiAAtMAD Habidullah Chaudhury : cwuj r ) In Campbell Medical
School.
Medicines meant for patients are sometimes sold aw'ay for the black
market and food allotted to the patients is very often misappropriated. The
quality of teaching has in recent years greatly deteriorated. Communal
consideration has come in and unqualified teachers may find themselves in
responsible jobs because of the community to which they belong.
All these matters should be enquired into by a responsible commiltee
consisting of non-officials and others.
Begarding cut motions Nos. 47 and 48 I beg to draw the attention of the
House to tile facts that there are only two (fovernment colleges, one in
Calcutta and the other in Dacca. There is a non-Government college at
Belgachia. Belgaohia college does not admit girl students. As regards
Dacca, the college has been started this year and as Dacca is notorious for
communal riots, women students are and will be afraid to go there, and it
is not known how many seats are reserved there for women.
In the Calcutta Medical College only 14 or 15 girls have been udmifted
this year though there w’as a larger number of women applicants. Even
girls passing I. Sc. e.vumination in the first divi.sion could not secure admis-
sion.
There are six Government Medical Schools in Bengal of which only two
admit girls, namely, Dacca and Campbell. In the other four schools girls
are not ordinarily admitted.
In the (^ampbell School, the number of girls applying for admission is
very much in excess of the seats allotted. Even girls passing or reading
I. A. or I. Sc. cannot find entrance into it.
The number of girls passing Matric has very much increased during
recent years. So more seats should be provided for girls in the Medical
Schools and Colleges.
Begarding women hostel, the Calcutta Medical College has only one
hostel named Swamamoyee Hostel. There the seats are too inadequate to
admit all the girls of the college who desire to remain in the hostel. Even
now the number of girls residing in the hostel is in excess of the number
of seats allotted. A number of girls cnnnot find seats there add have tc
live as best as they can and have to wait for years to get a seat there. The
ElUot Hostel of the Campbell Hd&pital which is the only hostel for Campbell
girl students is also in the same condition. ^ .
Sir, 1 have one point to make. Midnapur students are not permitted
to take admission in the Campbell School. The Burdwan school is meant
for them tho^h Midnapur is much nearer to Calcutta than Burdwan and
ia eonnected in several ways with Calcutta. Students of Midnapur find it
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
318
extomely hard to (fo to BuHwaa leaving Calcutta behind. So Campbell
oCqmI as it IS situated in Calcutta, the chief town of Benyhl, whieiD peopla
of all districts have to dock, should hu%’e no, bar for adiiussio& of all
students from Bengal especially from Midnapur, >
So, Sir, first a committee should be appointed <o enouire into the work-
ing of these scliools and collej^vs and ser<»ndly mort* sea^ for women should
be provided in the schools and colleges and more hostels should be started;
and thirdly Campbell School should have no bar for admission of students
of other districts especially of Midnapur which is so near to Calcutta and
the relevant rule should be amended acc(»rdingly.
Dr, MOZAMMEL H088AIN : Mr. S|)eaker, Sir, wtfir >nm f ’ stvrlf W’ti wrs
I wpfTc^ cvn VI wrvtm ?lt wwf
W7V cvrw wTVTv ytv^frjmsfii cvvri i cv sUflf
wre^ ijv: vi w -ji wsiTOnr cvfwc<^ wvr >T«, ^trvw
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vtw wprtv vcv w ^ I vtv'trsTc^nf vjwrR w '$1 wrvftw ^nft vtrtfv
vti cveve^ sj)3i; cWfrv cv staff ^cfpi 3Trs communal ratio cvtttt
cvti wTVtfl cwsn, iwr o<mt.3 cs?t; 4Vt patients
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w wci fpr vTffTv I jrrv^TOrw^r nvr cn tffiJfvv vi vevi wrwi
I cvev vv:tcv «rtcvi cv^'> : 'em! vi:v m cv 50 p.o.
fVVTn W1 cvvtrv VfVTS cvev V^V fV) 5V 3TS wet? 3 ftCf
VI 1 ^ 3 ^rv wTvnpnr jjvtcv heavy taxation wfet, cwv
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'5M ^vm wvrrvT tr^t wvr? vrv m cv wcv? wvi vi ojvrcv l?r?! f? ^o^ i;r?i
wTvtcv VI WV7TV7 travel ?T?i VI fjTV I heavy taxation fvcv vfvvM
wvi TO^ new ^v ?t?v sxs^ i
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cv ¥CV?I5 government tf^^tv «rrc¥ ^frs ymvtv c^cw vtvn tgf« wTvftvi
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,fl8rv ^nnvtv tmw v;vn -bw^i vi wvs v? i ^twra cv government achool wTti
^^k vbo 'ofn 3j;n*rvTv aten vi wcw ^f5m wrvrtw m ivtim wn# v] ewipn tn^w
cvtc^ nf^n vTcv vi i 4W wtfv vnro nrfv cv iftcv cv w diapemiary wfc?
^vnvtv ewftw v;vn nswvi a wrw cv<t wi 4jtf^ cv w open Campbell cvcf ntn
?ti Medical College 4 ^ w ’SKWV cnscvi vfv iji cv-H cv cwm ivnvTV
CtC»f WV' 5XV VI cv CWTCV (Vtl ^ W I 4 WlVtCW CfCVCVf ftWf* WVT Vt^ >> W?
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iwvn c^wfi 4cvrv cnwi vcv cvrrvn tffrvi nre?^ vi i ^ fn*f cfw cfcnvi vwrwv ciw
wfrv WCTt 'Wfvtfrv v^niw ctwl t’cvi nitcwi jvwfv tm wvwrftvwntv ifevi cQnn
^jnt ovntntn wn w i vffv 4 vfv wcvi s^p^md diatriot by district vt erv
4W VCT CV wcvw disniot vn net vKv, cvvicv fmvn ctettw cftv itcvw vmv
Vd I t tiv 4mm VCT wwcfi Mualmi league govenuBcut m men, fVi cvtfl
(iA tNrtll ^satvv wvj ewtv hostel 4 vnt ftfir 4?; ^ vros w wv
3ie
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[26th Sept.,
uff ntm Wf^rrfiKI 4 0 ^ government TOF^ft ^
?ncf, CTO PeniciUm ^ cTO ’fo? (iiir ^
»rf ffff ^wsTT=mn '
Mr. SPEAKER: Your time is up.
Dr. MOZAMMEL H088AIN : Tit?.
Mr. SPEAKER: One minute.
Dr. MOZAMMEL H088AIN : Expert research TOtTO
t:?? w^r, f?3Trj, ^ ttoi cm ?5 ^ bsit tcsf, w TWc*nr cm (t^
?c?« CTO ?c^f?5 I ^ ’t^nt TfJfin ijT Urea Stibamine t TOrc*f? Dr. Brahmachari <
3rc?ITff Ttf^ TO froc^pt, 4 TOt CTP? d?? c«rf? 1 Wt^ heavy chemicals 4?
w?j TOtcTs xc«N Tn Tm; 5 T?f i tsfto ncit chemicals ?fr5 t?i smr 4?;
TOG TO C?-rt ^ 53t? C5i?l TO 4^? 41 TOC^ TO TO ?-f 'Ql, f?1 u*t TC^
p^fCTOj TO chemicals TOtm cm Tit government 4 ? ’tS
TO^*t TOf^ I TO 4 t 15 ■f4i 43Trs TO public health 4? 4TO— -(T?TC4 C44 government
^TOTl TOR I
(Here the member having reached the time limit resumed his seat.)
Mr. HARENDRA NATH DOLUl: Sir, »ni[rDTOt 4cm
5TO TO?1 C^m C4, frrt 4'c^ TOTtfTO T? TOt? TOl T4' 4^^ T?l
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DEMAND FOB OBANT8.
Ill
im.]
fW cfi viw ^ *innn irt 4V<» twi iri
nn Ts^far cwr*rt^(tm»rT »rP5 wi iir*r^ cftfi^s^ntfir^ ftf^^ Hfi
ciM*^ TOiw aito ^ to *rtcf I «ra4i »faf apfifs artf5r«*mft¥ ’itfini
tTTOPr *iito ^uto^TW ^ «itof5r5 a, 4ft fnanc^n tfi:^ f^l cir#
10 cffl f? arfar ffcft cf rff 0*mff¥ cws cfm rf 4ft cnffs*mff¥ ^raiw^fii ftffc«
•s^<^ W9 ntoto ¥Cff, ^Iffa r&r¥^*n ff^-itf ffirfcftftif *^1 ^^fffti ffffn
^iifif tprtf® ntof tr^cff fRT frf7?rr^ |
Mr. U R. PENTONY: Mr. SpoaktM*. Sir, Wv* ait; partiripuling in th«
discussion on the Medical Budget, in order to bring to the notice of the
Hon’ble Minister in charge, certain jioinU, vital as they are.
The medical men appointed by the (iovernnient have to ijerform two
distinct functions. Some are meant eHsentially for the actual tn^atment of
patients, while others are primarily entrusted with the duty of Caching
students in Medical Institutions. Kver>’one realises that the two functions
are essentially different, each ref|uiring specialisation in order to achieve
the ideal. Teaching is an art us well m a science, and it takes years to
become a finished teacher and, in order to attain efficiency in teaching, one
should be a “wdiole-timer” as is the case with teac'hers of post-graduate
departments of the University. It is these pcoj)le too on whom depends
post-graduate medical work and research, realities which arc conspiciums
by their abseuue in our Province and to our utter shame.
Uoiisetjuently, to attain real effi(‘ieuey and suecess in the medical pro-
les.sion, tlie cadre oi treating and teaching doctors should he absolutely
.s(*parate. This is no new suggestion, as the noint was stressed strcmgly
by an expert Imdy like the State Meilical r acuity. It is not an un-
common experience that a d(Mt(»r who has passed most of his life in a
lal>orat(»ry, and as siK'h has achieved distinction in Hc.scarch work, has been
suddenly posted to a district office, where his technical skill is of no avail,
where he is made to face duties (luite foreign to him — while another, who
has passed most of his life in a<'tually treufing cases is transfcrnul to a medi-
cal teai'liing institution and entrusted with teaching or technical duties in
laboratories, merely because the latter was able to influence his relief from
the niofu.ssil. it is a deplorable situation, and 1 urn sure you will appreciate
the very awkward moments when such profes.sors previously emplt>yed in
treating malaria, chorda, etc., in the districts, have to solve the difficulties
of keen and intelligent students.
Surely efficiency and specialisation in !»oth offices must be our objectives
and therefore the creation of two district cadres is an utgcnl, iniiriediate
and indispensable necessity.
The Government has of late taken a decision to semi abroad some
students for post-graduate training. May we know on what conditions!^ Is
there any comlition that they will have to serve the Government in some
capacity or other for at least a stipulated period on their ref urn? In this
Province, of all the branches of education and research, it is the medical
side which is lagging hoi>eIes8ly Ixffiind. It is probably common knowledge
that Indian stuaenis spend not less than about Hs. 80 lakhs abroad, apart
from Government stipends, in acquiring degrees in yarious scriences, and of
these, medical students outnumber the rest. Is such an expenditure not an
appalling national drain? Don’t yoi\ think, Sir, that instead of sending
individual medical students abroad, it is more desirable and wise to select
brilliant ' teachers from different medical institutions and to send them
abroad for specialised courses and research work, so that on their return
theee teachers would in turn be able to train hundreds of medical research
workers in our Province and much more economically. The achievements
of the post-graduate department in Science of the Calcutta University on
these lines surely is an eysK)pener in this respect.
DBMAISn) FOB GRANTS.
[26th Sept.,
$U
In the Bndpt Bs. 19 lakhs is provided for the institution of a con-
densed graduation course for licentiates to be started at the Lake Hospital,
presumably to turn out the much needed extra inedical relief required for
the Province. More doctors are needed in the districts, and that requires
an outturn of more medical men. If this health re-organisation scneme
is intended to bring about machinery to tackle the medical and health
problem, why spend such a large amount for a merely temporary scheme?
Why not put the project on a permanent basis in order to produce the
numbers of qualified doctors that are continually needed to save the conti-
nuous loss of life in the mofussil? Surely it is a sheer waste of money and
a financial tragedy to decide now to scrap in five years an Institution after
its creation has entailed such a huge sum?
A number of hospitals came into being during the war and a more
widespread sjpirit of co-ordination was shown than in the past. The old
conception of a general hospital for the treatment of all types of cases
must give way to the new specialist idea. A patient must have the choice
of a hospital best suited to his needs. Hospital services should be co-ordi-
nated in order to provide specialist treatment for all classes of diseases
with facilities for the interchange of services between hospitals of all
types — transport being effected by a common inter-hospital Ambulance
service. Grouping of special treatment centres would eliminate uneco-
nomical competition in specialised fields. Staff equipment and experience
should be concentrated instead of being scattered, and wastage and over-
lapping would be avoided to achieve the more effi(‘ient use of available
resources, with objects (1) to provide a system of medical service directerl
towards the achievement of positive health and the prevention and cun*
of disease, (2) to make available to every individual all the necessary
medical services, general and specialist, domiciliary and institutional.
I am sure it is an accepted principle that the treatment of patients does
not depend on doctors only— however good and efficient they might be.
Efficient nursing, adequate su]q>lie8 of medicines and diet form an integral
part of treatment. As such, the training of an efficient nursing staff, the
ensuring of proper and prompt medicinal supplies and the procurement of
good nourishing food are dne qua non.
The nursing profession should be made more a ttrac'tive— better rates of
pu,v and Hving conditions, with definite opportunities of permanent post-
training employment, so as to attract new elements competent to take up
the onerous tusk and so that the present trainees get a fillip for further
improvement in their pnifessioual dexterity. Here again, provision for
an immediate adequately staffed and equipped central training school for
nurses is vital to the needs, of the province if we are really serious in
improving their efficiency, remedying wu.ste due to unsuitability, etc.,
and the institution of more srholar.ships to provide for specialised training
abroad for administrative posts.
Authority has said that our hospitals are well staffed with nurses, as
they find that the ratio of patients to nurses is 2 : 75, obtained apparently
by dividing the total number of patients that can be accommodated in a
hospital, by th^ total nursing staff. This theoretical ratio is obviously
absurd, as surely in so far as the patient and the nurse are concerned, it is
the total number of oases in a ward divided by the total number of nurses
on duty in that ward that should be the criterion of an adequate nursing
staff.
^ Improvement in hospitalisatiop is impossible without a 100 per cent,
inoi^ase in the nursing staff implemented essentially with encouragement
and sympathy from the public and the press, as well as from all senior
admimstraiors. (As this stage the red light was on.)
•If. MPlAKiRt Mr, Pentony, you have spoken for eight minutes and
your time is up.
DEMAPTD POE GRANTS.
S19 ;
1 ^.]
Mr. L. R. PCNTONY: May I have cue minute more, SirP
Mr. SPEAKERS: Try to be m briet as possible.
Mr. L. R. PENTOHY: I would further |M)int out that, taking into
consideration the present tTonomie eondttioim pn*vailing and the lu|fh
prices of luedirines, medical accesM)ries and articles of diet, the (iovern-
ment should seriously ('onsider the ipicstion of substantial increases in
grants accorded to diflereul private medical institutions. It should be
tCmemhered that these jirivate institutiiuis luoujrht into existence through
laudable efforts <»f private enterprise ami nmiiuinental sacriHce of members
of the profession, an‘ ieall\ [lerfonuing a duty that should devidve on the
State and the (t(»vernnient . A-^ Midi, it is tlie sacied moral duty of the **
Government to see that such humaiiitanan missiuus (h) not luHome strand-
ed on the ^hoal^ ot financial difficulties. 1 undci>land thiit some of the
institutions have been receiving the same grants from the Government for
the last thirt\ years, although the extent of iheii ai tixities in the form of
expansion has heeii more than five times tin* initial luimher of beds. These
are ine(|uilieN that call for immediate re<*onsi«leration and relief if these
useful institutions an* to caii\ on tlieii dutie.s ellidentlx and up to the
proj>er standard.
Let Us have visiitn amidst the Mpiaho <if realitx and jmt a«iih‘ deter-
minedlx dead jirejmlice>. dead wa>s. dead realms, issues, eustoms and
>\mhols, and instead raise the pro\inci‘',s pieeious inlimitaiice to living
truths, living laws and living di'cds
Sn , (riiveinmcni must » nsute that in tuluie ev(*t v man. woman and
diild can iclv on L^'ettinu all the lolvirc. treatment and can* nccdcil in
matteis ol neisoiial health; that what thc> shall get shall he the lM*st
nicilical and other iai-ilitics availahic; that tinoi g<‘tting these shall not
depeml on wlietliei the.\ can pa\ foi them or any (»t}iei tactois irrelevant
to tile real need
(At tills stage till' red light was uLMin on and the memhei resuimMl his
seat. >
Mr. Md. ARIF CHAUOHURY : nsr-ifi itr.iiftti cn fes# w
3rrr^ r-^':^rr«ri! '-rfKr-ifjj i fi>f4<n(
0 ^'trs Sms cvh nrn f.rijfTf
I 4? U-54 rBfsrsnHtiyn^Pc^ stwlTirf
5T^, wrsfpi irTs*ti i irfsr tv] r« ot ijs c5C«
?rTMT-t JTTf I fvrTtnj : hU avfP eriffa jr?;Tfg4 ntvi rirfius ?5^cs sprrfr^ri
fi'i an fsciVT:
MtT’sys OT# -iffc'flgtj itrM cs-t i mfn ai -T|srs cvfkff
otc’^ ^ rest .7 1 ?ri Mtfs c^, fyfa ijfi# (vi’yv
a#[5rr*7 c^'rw F?ta a? ar3:»rf'f sfai tffs wrcOT ’r«ti
'ftdt, Mfgi r.7rv4> ♦fS’t ca'jipnca' «ofTsr«»ry i
4af*a Cf ^1 c^, c^i rtfV^ ases Tsf^^in
tffriT? SRT »r5ic^ Mfsfs t fsfa warsit cwyi
*s f^rsT^i! J3^'C tit fnrs trcti vxi
STOTTS IfiTin OTC#
/Ti fi«M ‘ttiT w-n -rf-t firiT? riPjif fawS stn Oft tv-sn
4W wfM wffnfn sFfOTi t ita^i csi fTvtaf^ tfr^fafi fvm
4t trttt Stma tfsigfa.cn^ MTfS'flitira ndiMfiMfis^OTnR^is dfa
4mmfa ¥1911 cact#mMmc^ 4¥S wtijr'T'r sir^ 4«it
'•<» ttarlt ¥t ¥ mcw fi ^ Mfwftt ¥tcf ct rtcto ¥fi vpci
21
m
DEMAND FOB GBANTS.
[26th Sept.,
m wn irfr wm m)
% wi, '^fPi I ^fvrtf •Tc^ — ^ Tt^vs tpsTW^ ▼^zpr
<*ffic¥*r tiw ▼fr«! wsr ^Tftf’Oro ♦tT rtrs T'ssftjfi
wfirff «4=f; ^itcw to? ^ ^ ^ttiE cro =?!$, ^rfsm
I fiprtn Bi: to to?pt ' 8 «tf¥; wfkfh ^
♦itTE ffC»R, Bhore Committees ^rro fTOrs f^fron fsiror Byepass
TO! TO CSBTTS TOm ^TtlTOfk^ ’TJ? 0^ fsTOTS tff^ tfTfl
ifif TO?, ^tsi TOR I 3<fT^r«r5 cW^ fsTO?s toitf^t?
4TOTt C^ TO I TOT CS ^ tfCTO StTOTO TTOT ^TO^ ^2J5^ST TOff C«f*f
>^VtJt*rl TO^I ( 7 \f TOtS TO’rtnf^^SI TOTIIWS T5 TOS' tffetTTO »fl7tST TO
C51 fpnr ifSi, (TTTOTff ^tfiTO ft^al^TO Practice ▼fsrs OfQSi ^ i TO
flit TOCWS trf%tr51 ^rtCTO TOR SF^CtP^ iTOT^ Stf^ TOSSf <fR STOr
fiif^ rti:TO stt ts^: ^ toto i srrftrrsTsrftr'R tro-
flF TOTOS ‘R»‘t Tff^ sr%m Q C*n*tS rTOt»4>*R JTSCS^ >T;ir^ Q
at»i •^vwwj Sv topIto TO*itTOi Rfs^rsi tost^r TOt s^tl^TOs fsjTpr
fSTOTf/r S^f 3 S TO HW fsR ^ ^STtSl TO TO FTfTOS
C5ii I to6 toi r^rf’^R »rc^5Tr=i csi^ritrs tf^-
•^h TO SFS1 ^s^( «Tomil5: srrs.7 jnti s^ir stj^ffs ’ffST (RC7» 'Q
TO TO TOrrts TO of*f>i fTOfr^R toto ’TTR rsf^i (7rTO
^ircs TOR fs: r^yp tf^'TO smt 'aRcsts s^i jt i
'iic^ c-iR sfsrss friz4^ • Tto to^ nsTin n-ro' TOfjfsTO TOr^*R
iflvf positive policy and programme TO to TOi Tisx^f UTT^ TOTO
stsi I Ttrr sTtTOs stt^i tor »ssto <3 T»rrR toto 'if^^ ^
»rj¥f^ TOT'liD c»»f*p:^ s^l TOtisi >rto 1 Medical (’oliege -js* school
TOw*T ^’rf»R TO 'tTi TfsTO? ? TOsm fsoTi'Jt TOT^ ^nf^R r nrs
^s* ’fiff) TO^»i jfm^ pR’TO?raf ^3 csh'Rr ns: to cstl? tor
trjTtrs. CTOTTft fcfT'^TTOS SCSI TOBR SsOr ? >50 c*»rf T5 3f%
pharmaceutical works TO5 ^TRCcr stotrcr Tt tr sfrstcif r iiss fV Muslim chemist
and druggistof^ sRo 50^ o»Rcof srwom toic^'i f-H rto TOts 1
vflsTO*! TO *itnt ill CTH 'rto t-C'ic^t fpfTOfi frcara 'jtcTO^ft
CS TO^TOTC^'5 TOR^ >rCTSSft 1 ^ 'tTlTOCTS 'fTTI >PPTT1 SStSf-l T^CJ rs TT?! JTtc^ TOCT
tfTR Ttsi vttn wvivs r^fV'^si f^rcsij tfTO no to i ^uTO'^ otTO
TO! OTO CTOCSt^ TO TO >lS¥ff stijiend TfsTO "rmR stsTc^ii 1 Tto policy and
progsammo fiprtcs erst ^ TO?tir fpf^TO tfCTOR TOfc4 sro tor ot i
otsics tfcrorf (Tens ro‘lR ofin sf «c*i srf^ P-tto i f^nsT ^mmi tvr
40 TO! nosre^R ns o st'^TOo ofs'i 4i9tcTO 05 TOTi TO Toi s^•^TO iftn
nTO'6 ofts si^n"R I wrfR refT'^o frorcro opm^ totct ortos Tfcj; rtes i ent
wot Bt05 orross TOi Planning Commit tw ut TOfTCS tf^trlnT > nf ¥ r s* l icgs STOlt
4t 0 % TOfTtTOR I 4t CTO Tfirl^r fscnict's HO Volume 41 KbS ^ %>oo
*fTt f t ! ft tTS !ft% '^t WtTtn Tfo^ft 1
44TOTti mfn slt-ost « *fln j r o s c w s cort® tot Tfrosft cof ^Ittoi <T<tt
fWw^o fswtoi tfTO 'e tfWis Scwmi tjTO tfm wfvn winrlt or irtrst mrcs mw
TO! ftc^ nief TOW TOm tor i csn^ti ftfroo fowens « tpffcss wo wf^ toi
cwR witTWII nfiwo fsens TOTOi !ff n TO sff TOs TO TOTO wfortw 's ofTO TO »ft«i jtUw
ti WfUN TOfCl 4Tf fW WfOR TOR Cffw I 4t Tft O TO OTO 1 TOWfB TO!ffW nit
1946 .]
DEMAND FOE GRAND
321
I. C. S. ^ ^fwni nm^tcw ntw4ti nmmm i l«t
iWJi 9 ^3=Tf^) wsft*?! vjsm »T^ >nff¥ f^ffro ftpmi 4 I
c?i“t MTf^ ^1 4ft fvm w w^r^m\
tflUWffC^ IW vfflf Sub-Committee «tTffi:f 1 TO>rt4Ttf wwsi -
0
ffn*R At cf, 4i3f«rf cwi*>9 ff f¥jt wif wpr ffWf ♦fttfi *ft f» i i r c f \
4T5lTaf C*(t «R)t ^ At ‘ IP
f5rmr¥ flf \ k , ^*1 r?t^ cfc-m TrTTT->cfnii tfi ffi fffrfi tm-
ftf^f f^^TTftfnR w:^\ wTcf cft^ti ffw rttf 1 fff ’ftwn ^
▼ftf fTfi (TO m MSr^Tf f*!') frc3 ’trff, •mf ff» ^rTfir*ni w?ftf«n iftr»
’fTr5--*2in'l 'ftZ^ (T^-f^B rff*m 4ft ^ffTfn nfffci
ff^TTft fV ffff fi im ffrartm ^fircf t f«n >fffr<r‘f |f%f 1 4Tr»» wntfti-r
f%tfi ^fiff fiffrcw *,Ts 5 tfrr-
jppntf ff ffffm ftcf '^Ti: 5588 'otfM "WfiwTfn ’tci *[fi-
fc*ny fTfi ^Tir^ff rfczprl^cviov fgi 4ft At n-ic<
Mr. W. C. WORDSWORTH: Mr S] MniktM*, Sir, 1 jirojxw no »*ut,
support no out. This party wihIhm to ('oiiij)liiufnl tlie Ilon’M»* Minister
on the courage, pur|>ose and promise in Ins Imdget, Ji is long since we
were given such stimulating medicine. Wars are great cmK hut great
evils sometimes h'uve a littlt‘ g<»od btdiind, and this war hiis leit the Minis-
ter in the position of being aide to do something P» eimch, it that is not an
extrav.igant word, our hospital and medical ei[uipment in Itengal, Let
us have a word of gratitude to the Army that have gone Irom Itengal
leaving this liehind. They could not take theii hospitals with them, hut
anvhow they did not try to, the\ <lid not want tic I think thcv have seen
a giKid num}>er oi hospitals in iiengal ami did not want to look into them
again.
Yesterda> or the day lielore ye**t<*rday we were given a very valuable
document— a rich mine of knowledge and infonriat ion. the Jlliore Heporl.
Some oi us iiave already studied it. It tells us how wi* are situated, what
we ought to do. It vou look at page .{7 you will see how Ih-ngal is eipnpped
with hospitals, and it shows that we want hoflpitais everywhere, in town.s,
in the countryside, and hospitiils are not only huildingH, You want besides
everything for their working beds and linen and furniture and medieui
equipment, medicines, doctors and last but eeitainly not least the nurse*^
It is a rule of tliuinb; that is a rule of experience in many countries that
for publii’ health you want thre4‘ nurse- to one doctor. 1 have asked the
nurse friend what that means. What •■he told me I tell yiUi, ft is not
only the patient that wears down the nurse, it is the doctor. She has to
decipher his haridwTiting, correct his mistakes, keep aii eye on him
generally, keep all manner of reports, statistics and tables, I have not
submitted this opinion to any doctor for his ofu'nion and therefore I give
it to you as one-sided unsubstantiated o)dnioD, not as oHicial opinion out,
shall I Ha si^mi-officiaL
Now, we want three nurses to one doctor. India has ten doctors to one
nurse. Think of her miserable exi.steiiee. In Bengal what is the situa-
tion? Tile Bbore Repcirt gives the figures on page 40, if you have the
re|K)rt on hand — 42 institutions in the rural area.s, 92K in urban areas,
fewer than a thousand, and that is for a land of 60 million people where
the index of health is not very high. The only small comfort, a mean,
selfish comfort, on that page for us in Ben^l is that we are better of
than Madras which has 657 and the United Frovincei 257.
122
J^MAND FOB GRANTS.
[26th Sept.,
\<,w, wLat i» the aim? The aim is set out m the second v^e-tho
Recommendations of the Bhore ^port. India has now 7,000 nurses.
The Bhore Report aims at 50,000 in ten years. Where are they to come
Erorn*' Here Home who are interested would weleonie a reference to an
u tide in the April, 1946, Numl)er of the journal of the United Service
[nutitution of India. It is by a Matron— Hi ndiey and is entitled “Want-
fd An Indian Nursing Crusmie”. She deals with this jmiblem. She said
India has 7,900 nurses. The Bhore lleport wants 50,0(M) in ten years, but
India’s needs want 77S,000. India eannot be rej^urded as properly
*(iui|>ped with administration for Public Health until it has 778,000 nurses,
hat is to say, 100 nurses for every one today and her aitide is an attempt
a an answer to this (jueslion. How are we to find them, and she says, the
mly hope is by a Nursing (’rusade, (Uie with deterjuination b\ every interest
)y (iovernment, bv the Press, by publicity experts, by every organisation
hat can bring influence to bear on the family, the school and the college.
Now’, we know what are the conditions of our hospitals. We know
lOHpitals with one or two nurses; we may know som^ w’ith no nurses at all.
I have been in large hospitals wdiere I be patient takes with him or her the
H'lnde family which does the nursing <luriiig the day and sh*eps around or
iuder tiie bed at night. What ( hance has the Doctor in those conditions^
What chance has tlie |>alient ,what chance has the country’s healthy What
is wanted is skilled musing as well as tenderness. Now temlerness India
[•an Kui»piy in amplitude; India can 8U])pl\ tender nurses in millions, but
skill must la* given. It does not eome by nature, lo get a proper kind
of nnrsi's in projaT number means proja*!’ nursing (Moiditions, reasonable
pay and all the rest that makes a eomtoiiable living and skill in the pro-
fession and alv\a\s eoiisideiatr treatment hotli tluiing tTainiiig and after-
wards (luiiiig hospital or prnate M‘ivi<e. Some heie ma.\ he ai'quainted
with the Ueport of the llordei ('ommittee on nursing in bhigland in 1944.
That makes a suggestion, but one suggestion is thv Ameiieaii system that
nurses training should he a kind of University experieme and study, that
nurses should be treated as students paid perhaps In scholarships from
private or puhlie funds and not usetl us eonveiiient sources of eheaji domes-
tie lahotir for the eouvenienee of hospital administrations
(At this stage (he memhei leaehed his time-limit but w’Hs allowed to
continue for one minute more.)
Sir, there are two j)ther points which I would like lo mention at the
end. (fne is the department of medical e<lueation in America and in
Kuglund. 1 have no time iiM»rf than to refer to it, hut sliall certainly
hear about it, and tin* lloiTble Minister who 1 daiesuN will be in bis present
otHce tor the next lo to 20 years i laughter i may have an opiM^rtunity of
helping the Me<lieal Faculty. The point — to put it briefly and there-
fore, ac<'unit<*l\ ~ is (his. U not medhul education being dumaiged l)ecuuse
medical prineijdes are thrust out ot sight In a mass of detail as the student
has to get up during his years iu a meilieal school. Sliould they not pay
more attention to principle and levs to detail?
The last word that 1 should like to wa\ is on the Kducation budget had
we bad an opportunity. For 20 to UO yewTH we have Wn talkilig ocea-
sionally and making small efforts at meilical s^^dee. I want' to know if
the eft or Is w'i 11 go on and some day we shall hava one adtHpiate centre for
this province. It is our ami the lH*lief the world over on public
health that the cure for thedieulth ot growing children is a very ntnessary
element in that policy.
Mr. D. ^ALANs Mr. Spealter, Sir. while we are discusaijig this
subject, I want to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Minister in ^ar^’
of this Department to a matter wkich has engaged the attention of this
House previottiily.
1946 .]
DEMAND EOB GEJhm.
m
With regard to the tuberculosis hospital whitSh is goiag to he
established at Eanchrapara, 1 agree that there should be a iuWroulosis
hospital in this province. My objection is with regard to the site which
has been selected for this province. bigha^ of Imid are being utilised
for the purpose of the tuberculosis hospital. These 5,lK)u highas
of land belong to another charitable institution, namely, the
Calcutta Pinjrapole Society, which preserve ahrmt cattle, which
has got a dairy fann and supplies milk and is trying to improve the cattle
breed under modern scientific methods and (his o.tKKl hiaahs of land are
being snatched away from the Pinjrapole Society. It will sound a
death knell to the further good things that the Society can do. After
GO years of hard labour for (he acnuisition of these o.tKMt htghnn of land
and production of (odder and grains, if (his piece of land is
taken away, it will he impossible for the Society to <Io its duty any more.
As a matter of fact in PMd. these .’>,000 hujhtts of land were
acquired hy the Military for war purposes. It was iiiijmssible for any
person to object to the same in the t‘xigencies of the situation. Notice
was given to the Society that the lan<l wtnild be returned six months
alter termination of the war, but when the war terminated and the
Society was expecting to get back tin* land, it is being deprived of its
land. ’ As a matter of fact. Sir. recently on the '2M\\ duly. UMG, this
plot was inspected by Id .-(iem'rul llini, Special ( ommissinner, Foml
IX‘partmeut, (j(»vernment of Imlia; Mr. Sethi. Final (’ommissioner,
Oovernment of India; Mr. N. M. Khan, Director fd Agriculture; Sardar
Pahadur Sir Datar Singh, (’attic Ftilization Ailviser, Government ai
India; Mr. Bellinger, New Zealand l>air\ Fxpert. Government of
Bengal and others. Mr. Bird remarked: “i am delighted to have had
the opportunity of visiting this excellent institution and hope Ihuf it
will W given all possible help to expand and im'naisc its useful purpose”.
With regard to this matter Sardar Bahadur ajiprnaelied the Governor
of Bengal as well as the Prime Minister and other Ministers and (lie
letter which lie has Written to the Societ\ was to this eflVel : “ I liave
spoken to His Fxe<*llene\ the Governor, ( lind Minister. Minister for
Agriculture, Secretary of the Agncultun* l)iq)ai tnnuit and Director of
Agriculture, and I h<»pe the.\ will consider the matter sympathetiriilly.
I have empliasised that it will be in the interest of tin* milk supply and
for the improvement of cattle in the province to return (Ids land to your
.Society.” The (’.S.P.f’.A. al.so passed a resolution drawing the atten-
tion of (jovernment : “thei*e is no reason that wlien on the one hand
(lie tfov^mmeut are trying to improve cattle biecfling and speuiding so
muc^ money under the new scheme they shdiild hamper the cause which
the Society is doing on (he similar lines. It is better that (he Govern-
ment ohonld lielp those institutions which alreadv exist and improve
them first insU^ad of planning out, qew schenie ot (he same kind.”
' So far as the Society is concerned, J do not know whether Govern-
ment has taken medical advice with regard to the pnqiriety of the site
of the p^posed tuberculosis hospital. But so far as my information
gpesj it is a low tying land and a malarial land. There is a jute mill
in the neigh bonrbood and tlie population of labourers is about one lakh.
If (^iknernment is allured by the structures whicdi have been built by the
Military Ikepartment, -then I may say that the structures are temporary*
As a matter of fact tlie road which was built by the Military Department
is a very bad road Ind dt will have to he, absolutely replaced by a better
road. ‘ Therefore the sfructures should be no consideration so far as the
site of the hospital is concenied. I would draw the attention of the
Hon'ble Minister in charge of this department to consider impartialljy
the pfOA and amM and I hope that he will m*i* his way not to prickle this
SfKjicty, because if 5,00() higlut* of land are taken away fi^ni
the Society, it will be impossible for ibj Socii^ty to acquire a similar
area in the Jiext few generations to coiite. If Government wants any
324
[26th Sept.
DEMAND POE OEANTS.
land for its own purposes or for the establishment of a tuberculosis
hospital, it can utilise its machinery to acjjuire such land as may be
necessary. Moreover the land which is being acquired is very fertile
land anS in the special situation in the province about food crisis, we
should not be deprived of the utility of these 5, (MX) bighas of fertile land.
So far as the tuberculosis hospital is concerned, it can be established
on less fertile land or barren land can be found for that purpose. That is
a point which I want the Hon’ble Minister to consider.
Then, Sir, Oovernment is going to have a Medical College in the
Lake area. Everybody knows what shortage there is in Calcutta at
present of houses. If the T.ake area which is an ideal place for
residential sites is utilised for the establishment of a Medical College, we
shall deprive (^alcutta of good housing sites. I would also implore the
Hon’hle Minister in charge of this department to consider whether it
would be advisable to have a Medical College in another suitable site.
With these few words, Sir, I resume my seat. I hope that the Hon'ble
Minister will consider these matters sympathetically.
Mr, KANAILAL PASS: ’rrm, wfwrv cut-motion i)? Scw-rr
Union^ij Hospital u? jtttvi ^ i c^,
cn cvRs Ciftc-Jr? wirv ®rr»fv i ^ Hospital jair
^mi 5^: cn? wjtt cr?
3^, tfTRfl S’Tfv^ 5V t fVl t[Tn
Hospital^fl cvRQ JTi
f5r: •I'Tvnf, >rrpr,
wRf? WT Prvnrff ifVcr ’trfcrj?i f^c*T vrrr oR
jjrs ifPr C9fpf fvi ij<f»TvnT vm ijc^^rr^rt ^ i 4^:
ffc? VC? tjTc?? 5 wc? tac!? I IfTfir vfrm ff^ni ??c? t[t??p?tc*R
?f«fi -iiv«nT I w. l^rm ?t?T wc?
’few tfrjr<tJ?tc‘r? vm »itt ^nrs: ^nni popular
Governinont fsTu :5r!r! vrvT vwr? Tfrm
?RT1
tjtc? ijotc’f, srm s ^ cmv ?^i?c? ’ff^^
v?ii Hospital ?i?n vifi vij >r?« csrrw ?f?i ?ftT5
?i I c? ?? siffli ■jnrrr vijj vrrr ?at wm? *rr?t i
5rjn visit sTtm cv<fR ?i d?? cw?i,
^fstcvff ^rwew? ’few Wf sfcv i (?r?«ri?r Quack ?ryr?; ?fv«f wto ?f?T v? i
^i? wc»i ??cwra S»fwrc^fl cr? vs i
f?: nn«, profwr surgical helpii? •'9*1 ?? csffcvff tff*fvf^ V^tfc? i ?f
case wtl? wtf? fr? ??? 'vsre? ?? nj, cwvir viivll? vrptrev^r r??ff ?l%? c??Tc^ surgical
help4? W«lc? mtf 3[^T r ?fw 15 rf ?^c? surgical help ’ftsvi ?fr5 vVcif
c?t C»itwlN ?ti> ?n ?4?R cwm cvr jiw$ «fTc? ijvllt v4vfc??r ck^ accidentally
^ 5N] 4^: TTtf? wr?r, 3;tm ’t'mt?? v(? (ribs) s lungs damage vi i
wc? TOcw Burdwan Hospital 5tV?i v* ^ i ’fc? cfr^ ?f?i it? i
fi: *i'>vni, ?ifi. ifTc?? %5f epidemic ?tc^ ^5t?t? wrt vies gtvw^tcv? ?wj
w?i ^tf wnm rt?i Mi -ns ws c»itv Jif epidemic ciTc^ ?? »
ff^«t'c?»|t c?rf 4?? c?R iTvn ?r?f? im tftcR c?tv1v^ f^r? m fM ?wi ▼?? ?m i
tftc? V ^ ’n«?i ?ni 4?^ ^5rrtc»? ^ ??f case attend Wfi vffft ft?t M.
<4?; c?t ??? ^nrrcR visit (attending fees) 4^ 9[^M) cv? c?, tft??t^l^v? new gw e ??
niftfT cw8?i wm? ft?? Ml'
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
325
fr, ^ ^ Health Mini8ter4f ft 'fffSl ¥(lwrf|» Cf
sTR Goverament Hospital iffn?. cRi ffi cf ff ytcff W
’mrtfT ’ffsfi jmr 5n I sot bed fVi ®ti fCfT f% oot bed,
*mn ^1 w?TTff ^ ^ wtf v5ot bed cm Ffirraa? i w wrsfw fcwt
fVi medical help cf^m cms ^frTfi fi i
tf: ^T?, malaria, cholera, smallpox cmrM mrmr c»m »fW
sTf cm fpn ffir I cmg »r 5 Ti:fn -a® cm m ft« hi i at tR
cmcf m m I Ko w cn cm m at w
cTOv Irot 5f<i w I » tt ffc?rt mm taj f far® ^r»c?H i mw HnFnr mnn
cfriH m ^'tnnr] 'an? H i caatcH afTr?Tft«TC3 aftcM w cartR at®, fVa cn
cm? aiari mrs cam ainrafafli acf m ai at^tca i af; ca cal afa
miat^ maiC’t atroi aTT^T^^al cholera 3 smallpoxcf3 a7[a'mt a«
m ar? mrc^ c^xa 5^5^ stefw can i
^ Dutch (iovernmentaa ’dm Java {tcM, c»r:-pf m, ’r^r^ cholera cm
1 camm Dutch (iovonimcnt cholera atari me®, cam cholera
a^H'm an mrr!iJi Statistics cafm wife m iifa. cam ar ar caicrf
rt® iiaa cam area carraa ^^t aa. aa: caai P-tarcit ^rarca^t j|^t atarcf airtat
faaa hi arfam i m mr fortu^cn diploma doctt>rs atcfa, 4fraa ^a
cara scaff ca ifrrcaa staafa fam aaca ax^ai faara practical training fac® a*ca ®fafcai
mr coulinenti® aftr® ai, mn cam criaa hospitalc® cliolera case a^ arti cati
fa: arra, rrfa Health Ministertr racata rfa afa f^fi Popular (fovernment
m m jfrea. ca arn Sm (Tci at ara catM m rfaaicr, cat am
raaaa rfa?) at <y^M tff® Snm riR aat tn^ar^H^ «?raa 3 rrrt an rea i fa:
■*t“>rfa, atra, mr?7a Health MiniMtcr am dovelofHunenl programrnecj ^.s^.oa.OGOs
&r^i aarr rcac^ 5a* tai vtc® :,Vj.OO.ooO\ trri “for inen^ase in the numl)er of
hospital IksIs and [)rovision of new lied in Rural anias” mJ ata rfarscfa 1 wtfi
ara^ caaa fafHtra acarmr rmra afa can tffs Unionrs aad^ rfVai Hospitalaa
aran ma aa: cat fraarrrer .Mc'dical ward, Surgical v'ard, Maternity ward, '8
Children ward, aa aTa acma arcT 1 arrai m far fla: ^^ra m ca C¥fa8
c«ma cRa ¥5^ rfea, aa: t?n at:a> c»rai ^ rar raia 1
fa: "*i"t¥ra, aita, rtfa m arf faara rat m mra wt caa rfaa 1 rffat caai atw
ca cm 8 m, ararc® cma tfr® aa, at¥^ rfat® atc^, -tfjH'ca-l? cm at rmr®
cam aa ca, trm wsra 1 fVr ca c«^cr arcw$ arc® errf l?wa aa® caara rem, ca c«rtiw
m vH^fcaa tftaa 3 rm faaxa ^f®a arrm tw art aai ar®rr waira 1
Mr, SPEAKER; Mr, Daas, your time is up.
Mr, KANAILAL 0 A 8 S: One minute Sir, iw% a r^tai c’Ti aat arai af^ja tfi rr
faca ?rtn cm3 ®Ta m r^ai ara ra ait i erta m rfe carat tci
fra 3 fasfafa aaan aacii rcaai, smallfiox 3 amrafaai eaten tffsm rfro an
ara carer raf ^aaata at Vaf fra afaarcr, aa: cat ^^rtc® tjfmnra atari ma caa
ai I nfantr rrfa ara^a alt araarr mara arfa ca, f®fa caa far yiwara fafgrm
cam Tjr® lar, mmrfar acatora «ftii ararm fa®rcn rtetr ^apn ra 1
Mr. MADAR BUX: Sir, after looking through the Budget, I feel
anyself much disappointed^ heciiuse tlie needs ana requirements of the
mofussil people have been* completely oreriooke<l. Sir, the budget baa
been shaped and presented in tne most stereot^'ped fashion in spite of
m
DEMAND FOB GEANT8.
[26th Sept.,
the fact that aeriouB changes have taken place around us. We cannot, bul
take notice of the fact that the people in the mofussil have
become conscious, and have come to assert their rights, and the time is
very near when they will call an explanation from us. Sir, it is a fad
that epidemics, cholera and small-pox are very frequent in the mofussil,
and the people in the mofussil — both men, women and children, die like
cats and dogs without attention of the leaders. Sir, i{ is a
funny thing and very deplorable that in this age of civilization, we find
not a single hospital wdthin a thana, we find not a single dispensary
within a union, and w'e talk of llurul Development, Post-War Reconstruc-
tion, and things like that. Sir, another funny thing is that
the interest of the mofussil people in the budget, not only in the mattei
of Medical, but in other subjects such as Special Education and such
other things, has been sacrificed at the altar of the interest of the citj
and towns people. So, Sir, my suggestion is this that the Hon’blt
Minister will kindly take notice of these fjicts, and will take immediatt
measures for starting dispensaries in each union, and for starting
hospital within an urea comprising of b unions. Sir, some of m\
honourable friends might be of the opinion that hospitals might be started
W’ithin every thana, but I differ from tliis view*, because tht
area of different ^lunus differ; some thana consists of 14 unirins and somt
G uni(»iis. So, if you are really sincere and if you really sincerely fee]
for tlie mofussil peoj)le then please do ixit delay taking immediate step-
for starting hospitals within an area of b unions.
Sir, unless w'e do it, we would not be able to face the people and wt
would not be able to submit a proper ex])la;jation to the people. Sir
the condition of my constituency — and not only of my own constituency^
but my entire district and also of each district in the province of Bengal-
is horrible. In my constituency just about a year ago there was ai
epidemic of -cholera in the month of November, ami thtueufter there wai
an epidemic of small-pox in the months of May to dune. Sir, there wu:
no vaccination available there.
Mr. SPEAKER: This again is a subject for the Public Health budget
Mr. MADAR BUX: 1 th ink the time at my disposal is very shor
and though I have given a cut motion under Public Health, 1 would no
be able to imMition it at the proper time and therefore I am making i
passing reference to it. Sir, our grievance is that when an area is visiter
W'ith cholera and small-pox in quick succession, even then no assistunc
is forthcoming from (lovernmcnt. So my appeal to the HoiPble Miuiste
in charge of this budget is that immediate steps should be taken to sen*
medical relief to the mofussil areas as .soon as an epidemic breaks ou
there. I urge uim)u tlie HouTde Minister to take steps so that we ma
have the advantages of state <lispen.suries and hospitals in eucli union an
each thana.
Mr. HARIPADA CHATTERJI : Mr. Speaker. Sir, wT?n vw c’twT? ’*ttvpr
viTfi rainf ; wvTftt wmn vpt i 'wwm 4<ffr'T, Hom
member 1% tovw wfw wot sm, wm wvti TOff, wrvnr Biwmwpn to
wv wfumrt |ffr o|tn TOf ; OTt wtrOTti irrs fw ? wron OT nv i
Mr. SPEAKER: I am afraid, I cannot help yon in the matter.
Th. Hon'bl* Mr. MOHAlfMED ALI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do nc
propoee to mince matters : rather, 1 propose to face facte squarely, an
therefore 1 a<lmit tbat the medical facilities for the people of Bengal ar
inadequate and far from satisfactory. But before I deal with tba
question generally and outline the policy of Government, I would Ara
of all like to deal with the various criticisms that have been made durim
the discussion on my motio]i for voting of supplies.
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
827
Sir, Mr. Ganendra Chandra Bhattachariee haa raiaed the queation of
facilities to be granted for the Aurvedic, the Unani and the Homeopathic
systems of medicine. Before 1937, no help was given to any of these
systems of medicine and to medical practitioners in those systems. But
after 1937, Government constituted three faculties for the Aurveilic, the
Unani and the Homeopathic .systems of treatment, and Government have
al.so given financial assistance to these State faculties for the purjmse of
recognising institutions and for registering the names of successful
candidates so that the names of the <loctors who practise in thosi' systems
art* registered. But apart from that no other facilities have been granted
by (Tovernmeiit, because (foveriimeiit held the view that under
modern conditions, the Homeopatliic and the rnuni systems are not st^
progressive. I personally feel that evtoi the.M* sn steins ol medicine have
Ireen prevalent in this eountrs for a long time past. Government should
not therefore ignore these different .sy. stems and therefor** there is a
scheme under examination (»f (iovernment umler which a sum of Us. r2,0(Kl
a year will be given to the Dacca Tniversitv for the institution
of a diploma courses ol the Aurve<lic and the rnain systems of inedieine.
It i*-; a moot point whether (iovernment should jiay dm* attention to
these systems in view (d the (act that in modern times in fighting
modern disease, we recjuire nuxlern methods, .(ust as* it is no use in
modern warfare taking recourse to swords and speais which are hopelessly
out of place, so also in tackling modern disea.ses it is lu) use taking
recourse to old and untiijuated .systems of ti-initiueiit. What is needed is
to take recourse to modern scientific method of treatment.
Sir. Mr. Malianti has raised the ({uestion of inade<juac\ of scats in medical
hospitals. I admit the niimher of seats are inadeiiuate. We have
increased the mimlier of si‘ats h\ the estahlishmcnt of a medii'al college
in Dacca and we propo.se \o raise the existing meilical schools to the
.standanl of a college, so that the,\ ma\ he provided with more seats for
liospitals.
Mr. Mazumdar lias referred to the (iue.stion of hospitals, 1
wish to deal with them when I deal witli the general ((Uestion of medical
hospitals. Sir, I have bmnd that sometimes the treatment in our
medical institutions are not satisfactory. I had before im* a case
yesterday where I found that a ver\ responsible nnMli<-al officer in charge
of a hig department in the Medical College was guilty of rulpahle neglect
and it was proposed hv the department that the head of the
directorate should give a censure to the mediial officer. But I was not
satisfied with that. I said that I should congratulate the p**rsoii wdio
by sending the complaint was doing a very good public service by
bringing to the notice of (iovernment. tin* culpable neglect of duty of
mcnlioal officers. It is true that iiiari.x such cases of m*glecf of duty is
not brought to the notice of (iovernment, hut when (hey are brought !(►
the notice of Government and when a jmtsoii is pn>v«»d to lie guilty,
Government will certainly nut he satisfied by simply letting off tfie
negligent officer with a mere censure, hut that drastic action should h«
taken and exemplary punishment should be given so that other res(Kmsible
officers will l>e more careful in future. Sir, if any complaint is brought
to the notice of (iovernment and if a medical officer is found guilty of
neglect, severe steps will he taken against such defaulting officers.
Mr. Dolui has referred to the question of temporary liuke College, I
have discussed this in my reply to the general diiicussion of
the Budget, and I singly want to point <mi that this is a scheme under
the P.W.R. project. The Government of India will finance, sf» far as
the capital cost is concerned, cent, per cent; so far as the maintenance
of the college is concerned, the Government of India will pay cent per
cent. It is only for tbn maintenance of the hospital with 1,(KM) beds
that we are to share the cost between the Government of India and
m
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[26th Sept.,
ihe Government of Bengal on a 50-50 basis. Therefore we do not think
we should grudge this expenditure, because this expenditure will be
incurred by the iGovernment of India, whereby the Government of India
proposes to give facilities for war service licenciates to obtain the degree
of Bachelor of Medicine.
I am grateful to Mr. Pentony for the valuable suggestions that he
hah made for improvement in the Medical Department of Government
and for the improvement of medical facilities in the city. He has said
that in the teaching department, there should be two separate cadres,
vix., a cadre for teaching in the medical colleges and schools and a
separate cadre for medical practitioners. That suggestion is Very
valuable, but 1 cannot give an opinion on it, because- neither he nor
myself are experts in medical science. So, I think this matter will have
to receive very careful consideration of Government. The problem
certainly bristles with difficulties. It may he argued that if a teacher,
to be a successful teacher in a medical college, does not receive first-
hand practical experience, he will simply he a theoretical teacher and in
the practice of medicine, the practical side of medicine and surgery is
a very valuable faci(»r. The reference that he has made to the Science
Department of the (Calcutta University, I am afraid, bears no analogy
so far as the teaching of medicine is concerned, where more practical
training is essential and imperative than theoretical training. But
certainly this cjuestion should be very careful considered by Government.
So fur as the grant of overseas scholarships is concerned, he says in
his sptM*ch that we should imjmrf teachers or we should send tochers for
training overseas so that they can come hack and impart the benefit of
their learning from overseas to the students here instead of sending our
students for training abroad. That may be one side of the picture.
But the other side of the picture is that if our teachers go for training
overseas and they come hack and train our students, the ex[)erience that
they gain overseas will be conveyed second-hand. Jt is much
better for our students to go abroad and receive first-hand training from
recognised niedicjil colleges and colleges which have jirogressed very far
ahead in medical research and scientific discovery. 1 think Mr. Pentony
Mill realise tliat this is a .subject Mhicdi should he very carefully
considered and Me should not he content merely by importing teachers
from abroad or by .sending our teachers for training abroad, so that they
can come back and train our students here. It is necessary that our own
students and our own doctors should go abroad ami get the benefit of the
tremendous stride medical research has uiade in foreign countries.
Sir, he has iimde a very valuable suggestion regarding the institution
of special hospitals for special di.Heases. It is unfortunate that in Bengal
we liuve no liospitals for tuberculosis, but Me have , made a start.
AN'c have got the hospital at XanchrapurH. We also propose to start a
hospital at Amulia. There Mas another project to start a hospital in the
divstrict of Midnapore, hut Me are scrapping that project. We do not
propose to go ahead M’ith it, because we feel that hospitals in the Province
should be equally distributed so that the benefits of the hospital
may l»e available to the jieople in all parts of the Province. If we nave
a hospital at Amulia and also^ one at Midnapore, the people of East
Bengal can have a legitimate . grievance. So, instead of gf>ing ahead
with that post-war reconstruction project, we are now amending that
scheme, so that we can start a hospital at Dacca for the benefit of the
people residing in the eastern parts of tliis Province. Therefore, we have
Jiiow got three tuberculosis hospitals in contemplation — one in Antral
Bengid, vii., at Kanchrapara, one in Western Bengal at Amalia and
mnother in Eastern Bengal at Dacca. I know that these three hospitals
will not meet the needs of the tabercular patients in the Province^ bat
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
329
I am sure that will be a ver>* yood beginniug and hitherto the people of
the Prorince were denied the benefit of a single State institution for the
treatment of tubercular patients.
Sir, I am grateful to Mr. Wordsworth for his veir kind appreciation
of the provisions in this year’s budget for development of medical
facilities and I agree and voice with him, our gratitude to the Aimy for
the contribution they have made, vir., they have made it possible for
us to acquire very valuable nie<lical equipment and apparatus. It was
due to tile military equipment that it was possible for us to start the
Kanchrapara Hospital and it is also due to the military equipment and
military buildings that we can start a thousand-bedded hospital in tlu*
Lake Area.
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA: Nt> tubereulosis in North
Bengal ?
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The K anchraparu Hospital will
serve that .purpose.
So far as lli^ reference l(i the Blmre ( ommittee is coma'rned, 1 agree
with him that there i.s inadequacy of nursing in tlie Province. That is
a stumhling-block for tiu* expan.sion of medical tacilities in tliis Province,
We an* badly in need of nuises, T(* nieol this nrobb'iii we now
conteiiijdale starting a diploma course in Nursing, so that we may have
a Provincial Nursing Service in the Province. It is also om* of our
PW.lt, projects, so that v'e may have a Provincial Nursing Service in
order to give better remuneration and more attnudive erinduiiientH to the
nurses. Then we [iropo.se to institute a sort of vernacular training for
nurses It is unfortunate that there exists a certain amount of prejudice
among the IJeiigulec girK against this service, hut it is very gratifying
to not(‘ tliat this prejudice is being gradually removed.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA. Is it a fact that Indian nurses do
not get the same treatment a> Kuropean nurses in the Medical ('ollege
in the matter of fooil facililie.s and hoarding faeilities ami is it also a
fact that the nurses supplie<l hy the inilian Council of Nurses or some
Midi sort ot organisation are not within the control of the Meilical College
iuithorifies and of the different auth<»rities-
Mr. 8PEAKER: 1 cannot allow you to make a speech.
The Hon’bfe Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: The statement in subsianoe
reffects tlie actual jiosition. We have here in Calcutta an institution
known a-' the Calcutta Hospital Nurses Institution and they HUl>ply
nurses to some of our hosjutaU not to all tin* hospitals, not to the
Samhhumith Hospital, hut to the Medical College (iroup of hovpitals.
That is a .system by which a sort of dual control i.s exercised over nurses
and 1 leel that there are certain ilitficulties in the way of
immediate removal of control of C.H.“N.I., but that is a matter which
is receiving my attention and I lni|n* w'e shall he able to improve the
existing comlition. It is also correct that in the mutter of scale of
stipends granted to the nurse trainees, there is some amount of
discrimination and also there is <liHcrepttncy as between hospital and
hospital. A trainee in certain hospital receives Rs. II) per month and
in another hospital receives Us. 40 jM*r month. There are matters which
are engaging ray attention and I hopt* I shall Ih‘ able to remove these
amunalies in a varv short time. But the most imjiortant point' ia 4hat
1 would request al! members to heljp (lovernment in the matter of doing
propaganda for inviting trainees in nursing. 1 am shortly going to
constitute a committee which will tour all over the Province in order to
examine whether training in Nursimtf can be given in our mofussil
institutions and if that call be done, I am sure that that would facilitate
our giving training to a large number of Bengalee girls in the language
m
[ 26 th Sm.,
demand for grants.;
of the country. At the present moment there are certain difficulties in
irivinir higher training in Nursing, because the minimum prescnM
standard is Matriculation and I feel that this operates very narshly
against some of our very eligible Bengalee candidates. I hope that with
the removal of these difficulties, the problem of inadequate nursing staff
in our hospitals will be solved.
1 cannot help referring to some comments of Mr. Jalan. He has
made a grievance that Government have acquired 5,000 highas of land
for the Kanchrapara Hospital, but 5,000 bighax is not for the Kanchra-
para hospital only. Tlie big plot in Kanchrapara is for various
other development projects of Government. One point I would
like t(> point out to Mr. Jalan. He has given stress on the
necessity of cattle, but 1 want to tell him tliat this Kanchrapara
Hospital is meant for the suffering humanity. Does he not consider that
the suffering humanity should have precedence over the needs of the
cuttle?
Now, I come to one important aspect of our medical facilities, viz.,
F.K.K. hospitals. During the famine a large number of F.R.E.
hospitals were started in the Province. We had about 20,000 beds
available in our F.U.K. hfispitals in different parte and very useful, very
nopulur and very good work was done by these hospitals in rural Bengal.
In our P.W.R. scheme we have adopted these rural hospitals
and we have converted these F.R.E. hospitals, which were primarily
intended for sick destitutes, into Auxiliary Government Hospitals.
We propose to retain 20,(M)() beds as a permanent feature of rural medical
facilities in our department. Hut, Sir, I must bring to the notice of
the members the fact that the existing sites of F.R.E. hospitals are not
at all suitable and have not been distributed on rational basis. They
were distributed at a period of emergency only in areas where scarcity
was prevalent and where immediate buildings were available. But in
order to have permanent rural hospitals in the Province, it is
necessary that these hospitals should be uniformly and equitably
distributed on the basis of morbidity and population. Therefore, thougli
we were to distribute these hospitals and reallot them imme-
diately, in view of the impending scarcity of food and consequently of
the tlireatened famine, it is not considered advisable " lo take up tht
question this year. Therefore, the mutter was deferred and was allowed
to rest. As stuin as we tide over the present (liffiriilti(‘S and as soon a;
we turn the corner, in January next year, this (luestion will be reexamine<
and 1 am sure tliis grievance regarding the distribution of hospitals wil
be redre.ssed. We shall then distribute the hospitals districtwnse on th<
basis of morbidit\ ainl population. Tiiese lu)^iJ>itals will sent
the rural people of the Province, who were hitherto denied the amouu
of medical facilities they deserve. I w’ant to assure the House that thi
Ministry has definitely a rural bias and it will do its best t<
remove the grievanees of the rural jieople wliich will be a contrast to tin
policy hitherto followed, namely, to give medical facilities for the peoph
living in the urban areas only. We want to reverse that policy. Tin
urban areas have got the benefit so long. In future, we may assure tin
House that the benefits of medical facilities must go to the rural people o
this Province.
With these words. Sir. I commend luy motion to the acceptance of thi
House and I oppose all the cutjnoticins.
The motion of Mr. Oanendra Chandra Bhattacharjee that the demand o
R«. 3,G4,65,0(K) for e.xpenditure under the head ‘*38 — MedicaP' be reduces
by Bs. 100 was then put and lost.*
The motion of Mr. Kanailal Dass that the demand of Ra. 3,64,65,00
for expenditure under the head “38-~Medicar* be reduced by R«. 100, wa
then put and loet.
1846.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS. 831
The motion of Mr. Tharu Chandra Mohanty that the denuutd of
3, 64, Go, 000 for exjiondiurt* under the head “dH—Meilical'* 1^ reduced
by Bs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Cham Chandra Mohanty that the demand of
Bs. 3,64,60,000 for expenditure under the head ‘%38— Medieal” he reduced
by Bs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Ilarendra Nath Ihtlui that the demand of
Bs. 3,(J4,6o,000 for expenditure under the lie;nl “38 — Medical” be reduced
by Bs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of the Hon ble Mr. Mohanmied Ali that a sum of
Bs. 3,64.6').(M)0 be ^•ranted t(»r expemliture under the head ‘ '38 -MelicaV’
was then j)ut and agreed to.
39— Public HmHH.
The Hofl’bic Mft MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the reconimemlutiou t»f
Ills Kxcellen('\ the (iovermu. 1 beg to lufOe tliat a sum oi It.s. 1 ,88.8‘.^\000
be granted toi (‘Xjienditure uiifler the head “3!» Public Health”.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Sm . 1 beg to move tliat the
demand of Its. 1 .88.8,?.tHMt ttn* expenditure umler the head “30 I’uhlie
Health' be reduced by 1{*>. 100. The rea^on lui my iimviug this imOiou is
t'l raise a (lisciis.^i<»n about the (1) inadeiiuucy ot the flemuml, (?) necessity
nj larger numlu'r of vaccinators, (3) large iiuiuImo* oi matetnity homes in
Jiiral areas, (4) neceshity of huger number of tiaiiiefl mid\\iv«*s in rural
a»xuis, (.")! free distribution oi ijuinine in aOected lural ar(‘as. (ti) f)pening
kala-azar centres in largfu* number in ahected areas. (7) lallibility of
si>-calle(l ant i-mabiria scbcm(‘h. (8) absence* «it plan tn the matter »»[ el(*velop-
meiit ])rogiamme under the head “Public Health”, and ina<le(juacy of
the number ot Sanitary Iuspect(»rs and then nicom)>etencc.
Sir. I am not in a iihmkI to speak on the subject. MoretfVer, the
motion speaks tor itselt I find ih.it a new iliseasi* has entered into the
S()ei»‘tjki and unless this is eradicated, the flisioission is a sham.
Mrs. A8HALATA SEN: Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand of
Bs. 1,88, 8?, 000 tor expenditure umler the head “30 -Public H«‘alth” be
leduced by Bs. 100. The reason tor my moving this motion is to raise a
di.scussion alnrut ina<le((Ua(‘y ot the demand on the bead “maternity and
child wellaie”.
Mrs. NELLIE SEN GUPTA: Sn. 1 beg to mo\c that till* demaml of
Bs. 1 ,88. 8?, 000 toi expcmlituii* under the liea<l “30 Public Health” be
reduced by Bs. 100 'Die reason tor my non ini' this motif)n is to raise a
discussion about mediial treatment in rural area* of (’hittagong.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Sir, I beg to move that the dtunaud of
Bs. 1,88, 8?. 000 for expemliture under the head “30 -Public Healtb*' be
reduced by Bs. 100. The reason for my moving this motifm is to raise a
discussion about the working of the Asunsol Mines Hojinl of Health.
Mr. KANAI LAL Dc: Sir, 1 beg to move that the demand of
Bs. 1,H8,82,(MMI for expenditure under the head “30 Public Health'* be
reduced by Bs, 100. The reason f(»r my moving this motion U to raise a
discussion about the failure of the (rovernioent for slarting maternity homes
and < hild welfare centres in aid of rural public.
Mr. KANAI LAL Dc: Sir, I beg to move that the demand ojf
Bs. 1,88,82,000 for exj^renditure umler the head “30-»Public Health” he
reduced by Bs. 100. The reason for my moving this motion is to raise a
discTWsion about the apathy of Government tn tackle the problems of public
health in the Province.
m
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[26th Sept.
Mn. AIMALATA lEW ; Speaker ^ ^ICTf W
^ OTTCfi 5fT?n
^ Pnipfi pr ta ^ i5f?i m^TK m) iftort
fm 4CTO I ^ ’nn wvt 4Pir^ ^f% wtf^ «ft^ 3w«r, wtf^
^fcfw t^'«T frr oT^c^ c^ a fivm faio^ c^ Pntjjv yrtc4 ^
Tiz^ ?f«tTs we y^r ^ ^n i iiirtc^T w w
¥«fTt ^ c’fsff? fVi cn ’Tt^w f%OT w j^-ftefsTW
ClT5^, ^Etc*r» WC# CW tr^it7 <4 <t#r5 '9^ C’tw ^ I ?rfcwfe arw 1*^
Cf^^ltw *ffr5 C¥fl5 ^rc^fj Public Health Departments!) maternity'
and child welfare ?t?r Wf, Wr 4^ tta ?rwe W?— 5 ^ ?w
wr?) I ^ s (?rt*( 57 tftff c*^ c¥ifPu e cri*) f^-w^r^trr? vjtt
I w cn ^W^fs fjpRt Tnr ?rT ?’ »i5t:^--^;w ’tift vsn
sn 4¥t?l ¥f»(f¥f^e I '9*1 JTTSf ^TW Wm ^VtWC^ fTTM? 4 ^ ^ ?RTilr <Tri:¥
¥^5? CT 4 C*R ¥f f^C¥? 4¥f^ m to TO? ^¥fto ¥?1 I
to 4to to ^f¥ c¥i"t ¥¥i TO^ ^ ¥1— ¥to (ym^^Q pTt ¥i 1 3)to 4r¥?
wsrmr cwr?t*t ¥W ww?nr tf^ftR Mi^i, ’*Trf¥ w 4 ¥st 4¥ ^^ri? ^
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*^lk? ¥tkT¥k C*?t¥ ¥)¥, fV TC? I 4 (PR JTC? ^'ftCTT?
¥fff TO ¥r3¥t? 3n5--?r? «rfto d^ f^-rc? to (V?tt? -idw -nsro i
TO 4 ¥1fCf Rf¥R ![:•/? ^TO 5rR^5 Ttf CTO (PI (TOf^. TI 4TO S’fto
I 4 m ¥91 ¥1^91R toi^T TO? ^vj, | 4 -^vf] cTO (P'?! ?R •'f^CTR ¥¥? ¥?
CK? (R-f*^ ?'x*tTR ¥CTO I 4¥‘T (pr^^f? (PITO (7i ?¥? ¥?.f»R ?<;¥? spR CTO
to fif5i ^ 1 ; TO ¥?.*fi ¥fc»r? ¥c?T cro Re? sttot? JiTO^ns to i to ^fkTO to
tos TOi ?i c?R TO c^R ?t^TO to-^^ TO JR ?3nrk 4 ^ ?to to we tji^ nfkc^
I 4? TOT 4¥ ¥C'5 ’t'R ?15¥ TOt«^? (Plf'^ to '^TTO ‘ito I SCI 3 884
TO'K ?f5i:TO WC? 3 '2>R TO? ?TO 4¥ TO TO ^?Te Re? J|RJI 8fPc^ :>$ i to TO
TOF 4¥ ¥C5 kro? Rec'R n-?Ti cm^ to c»¥i to ir ?k ?:? rff^ Re? ¥c?t
4 ¥f 5 TOte I 4 ? CTO TO^it? iRf 5 t? Re?) 51 ^? Rtnc? Rote? to to tfr*! TOd to,
^ ^TOJ TOI to I TOTTf? 4k ^of’STT CTO? TO TOl CTO (?ftoT‘!'THT57t OfCTO IJTO ;ti
¥re?tk C¥T? ¥? W3 I <5|e 4 Wl TOrc*r? cTO»tR TOTl oR TO ?¥TO W’^Tk ^SRI ¥TO C*^3
♦tTk Rm*R CTO to-!^) (PTTO? 4¥ ?TO? ¥C«n ‘ito (RTO k^^TCe 4¥ TOTO db 3
TO¥l«TO 4¥ TOFfr? C 8 lk TO I «l¥'K !fR ^.oIPtS I
^ ^f%rTO Htto Rtorsi cTO ctoR at m toto to? «r3Tk toti to cr ? c’n'^ i
mm toro ?¥? ffkro cprk ^*1 ^to etkts 3 Tipr ^erw ^ti^i to 'ptecf
pr? BtcTO--^ nerro? ci? R:*/!? *5X1 ^ to ^re to w'nr:^ TOce, to *itTO?
rs fck cwRmk to «rt¥? vwi wvus w' ¥¥R i wrR^n 4k m to 5Tf?to ^fro?
TOn ftm ?1to TOtf, kto^TT TO ’fj'ak toc^, ?(? to trtot? sn r?, to ?t;9iT?
Re? ??! TOt? TO f?i«? Tsm nto rc? t
to*f^*?Tf? TO Rem tf^fro? f^pi^kn wto tow tortt? to s^fTOi to toji
’Tike TO) ?i kRcTO from !p5rf-^l eferoi crok wn erR c? to R^n cm?^ r
to 4k CTO Rtoi w erm wsrto? fpi mwsi wv toto toj crore Sorrorifi
•fcellk e wn cfTO *f!t ¥11
DEMAND FOR GRANTS. m
Trained mid-wife 4? iRt.i V3. 4 wa Aasemblycswin w « %
W»S«444!I’rtT?*lffl414t»f=tl rtWS <4 Ww «P.4n 444T TO iCTt
»il>i TOW trained nurseonr «i;4n vn wiwi cTO 4t >r!f 4 TOfif, TO to W
^5Rr Oft] ^ ^ w^s Pitrt nq? ^iTcti wtr <wr ijwrt®
fcirt I CR? cft’> orrt rj] w ojfrc^ ^stonr ^ ’ttcf
<9^ ^ >r;tT] ¥inf i ttirfv, cro ’Tor ¥cf 4 ttct w
I
c?]Ttf ’Ttn 8 oifff »r^, cttttt o nurse wtirf i cttoif
^•tn ^ o»tf ir (Pitted ^ irfwn ?:icf i ^ ^tret 6 ctifj* c»Tff t^tn, ^in ortret
nurse arm > JTfBrrt s •m— ^ ffwTrits wn\ 4 f^ fw% >rv<rrr5|*ttr5 tttirff
4 ^ ko 5 Wt nur»e 4 t tIttTtRi
Midtt’ifec^ arttii c^s wTaRi 4? 9wt iT'4MT c^tcis ^rt >ro*nr ntf 4 t
^ ai^tr^ midwife ^ nurse *ii 'TOf 3] i t[nttir«W wtT Cftt
tmmt ant i fif^ <rTitar woT^t ct =r3 ^ ti 3 ff wtft cart i
4^5] fV^mr 4t cn tTTsnt 4t sarttr w¥t«r^^T ^ 3 fon ^rnre^tr
'S ’^tTT^ftars] TtHTt cm^ ^jr^r ^ •stat'oi't nw3 f¥ m f
vmrj c-^f? ctTTt anf^ (Trtrra? r-*^o^ w^ir 4^ ofif sfvrruf i ^
tnrroR c^t wfa^rj c^torf? r^r-ffT; fiAic'n ir.n w'rR*tf
milk -centre TOF arrar «oti i 3Tis ct-f>4 otM nr^i ct fi^cart offt
tr^STt? 'tlfr'ani=l fwrnt ^^Wl\ ■aat5 a^fWt OTTf 'tiftCTt tn<m vr.n nrcvi aiTant
^tr^ carm^j ^snf 7n 4tTr.i *fr^ mi 3ts wmn; Rt--m*5Tn R^onr /519 rrj ctof ^fmn
^3 tt-m? ♦fCTit rnionu ^Ti; arr< milk-tH»ntro
TT^fa] arm^ ^1,-r | rjj (tnitreaPrc-'f '^5
CtT? aT9, i)3f*T3TC^ T^) 5fl>3 tti:3 tfCi'rV rnion4^ artT# im
zm m^f?, 3To^ ?r&far'^nraT o ’tTmT^fr-^ m-TTi ^ri i>nt (y*ntn' - 53 % ffcwt nz
I mid-wife caRR m '4 arr^?! »RT?f mid-wife training
institution tt'fai ^ 1 , ^ nfci 4nt trained midwife vftftri ’^iTtrs
?rr. armi arm ^3^'caTC‘tfl 4^m ar^^Ti rfctrv^h 4taT m trarc^^^ arm «n:mr
Ji-nr caR*’ smaiT^ tiann rrM9, 4=f 9m^< «R<rT^ srr-i rn srmcari Sf&i 1
^ m?5ir? f-r9 w^<--cn f-r® v-nrisr rrev? '^^rTrsror !:fWFa[ m:nft >prw
»iwrtai'. aiR f*n:^ sfrR^ o'liarR 'mrarH canf--m^3Tt'i cart w.5rr?i3, Sr'tf'ra fi'» wirc 3 t
;ri 4 it tenfar 1 fwc^ >?, nt f-rs arT:9mi -r-rc^, urc-iR frearr 3 rm
anm fmnrt i m ’nrarnr arrcarii arm ar?rm«»^<i »irf tr»R ’trmr ¥^z
a r cmcm» aTTar car? i arw 4trcar tni $^rrz mi aitar arrnrr cftnt f-f^
wi:RfRSTaT, 3tai 4aR a[fVn =n I cart tfcaron aRi cve^ « 5 rtcrR armt ettt n
esm ^Twrvt r-r^soR fR3 ’rrarnrar m i w m-mt *tifrr5 *tiftr3 c^roti m, wn
c'4rarm».’ '-’5 31 om «nr •arJtrj^ rc^ ¥ti i ^ ^trm i[pr •fr¥. cwrirrt ttv
F ^ 5 ^tairm I
t3 ▼canr nef wr rrrrrltc i tr^in ori arnrocartr fr^ rnrcf i 3R ^*rf
^ Tctcf ct nr^^trJt a^tfR, 31 wwen orttm (ta farm R«rrf wrf^ m 1
mi? ’anemr. c^Trrt? carraiR mrm aafardH fmRt arrw fort nttftc^ vcz jiRfCf 1
wffsr m mvfaft ^ttw iftanrmr *tt 3irt wvf fct Kmf cm 1 ntw gtrt tnam mti
or ort fFTtt ^ yet cffam cwot 1 atmi »rarrt rrsmFiRtmr
m 4t!car 4CaTl| f%l ^5fOn tm:f ’<rHr ■ar^JTcaIl tt<r mw\ f^rct carc^ am mt
m
DEMAND fOR GRANTS.
[26th Sept.,
fits ^ 1 !n*f
yt‘(/lfr ^ »tr fc^ ta c^ wn:wi— 'srm ^i\ to i
wfjnft^r Speaker TOr*nr— TOW ^<fi clw ^ TO wtft (W toi ^f%fff
Cffikcv ?lr TOWTO TO^'f ^iU5 fW I ?t TO^^f ¥<TO TO ?f^TO fits TOC^ f^,
TO m;TO fswTO Pf»*w*7^*rff f^— ^t^inr ijf sn vnJhi i?Wto ^
c$tz^ ln^ TO yra c*r«7ri i «rfft TO «rfv c^f fro^ move TOf^, Wf
^ TO, ii^ Asfwjmblycs TOW cut raotioni^ 73?rw ’tvto
MrSi NELLIE SEN CUPTAs Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to make a few
Mii^^esfion.s about medical treatment in the rural ureas, and
l»articularly in (’hittaf^on#^. Malaria was the bugbear of Chittagong
some ^ears ago, and thougli it has not been stamj)ed out, we have now
kala-uzar in full force. Almost every family has one or two or iQore
jmtitmls; even very small children do not escape. 1 think the reason of
this is the lack of nutrition. Unless there is a member of the family
belonging to the Iluilwu.v, sugar or f/ur is not available and the price
of fish makes it outsi<le tlie buying capacity of the poorer classes of
j)Pople. We all know that kala-azar has a much longer period of
existence and that the convalescence period is much longer. People feel
weaker and do not ulwavs realise the danger of tlie disease. There are
not dispensaries in evtuy village. Sometime.> the ]^atient^ have to walk
quite a long wa> and even if it is a sliort distance, any distance is a long
one to a sick man and woman. The treatment i.s long and it mean.s
injections which mean that it is neces.sarv for tln^ ]»atipnt to go to the
doctor. Sometimes the jiatient aft<*r a tew injections, after some treat-
ment, feels stronger: he goes back to work and when he should
go for treatment again, he feels, wh\ botlnu': he may have to lose a
<hiy’s work <»r he ma> feel disinclined to go. With regard to the women
of the famil\, it means she has to leave her w(>rk — her cooking; or if
she goes along, she may have to take a small bab\ along with her: and
that is why sometime after a first treatment the patient doe> not feel
inciimal to go again to the disj>ensar\ with the result that after a little
while the> art' attacked again, the result being that ver> often the
patient says* I t(»ok all the tnnible of going to the dispensar\ : the
d(M‘tor gav(* me injections: 1 was treateii: but here I am ill again, the
<lo(*tor is no good, and (piite <dten the patient does not go again for
tnmtment with the result that we have man\ sick persons in the villages.
1 >vouhl suggest that we have travelling di-oi)en>aries : \ou may
argue, the (tovernment pn»vide <lispensaries for the ])ublic, wh\ should
theA not go to tlispensaries. 1 am sun* if there were travelling di-^peiisaries
it wouhl make a great difference to the health of the people
and in tin* long run it wtuild be cheaper, because there would be le.ss
attacks un<l less medical treatment would be necessary. You may also
argue that the nmds may not be fit for travel at all times of the year.
If the roads are not fit, then impnive them. If they are not fit to go
for help then they are not fit for sick people to go to the dispensaries.
So I would ask >ou to improve them. Some years ago either a ('imlition
(lovernment or a Muslim (Joverninent started a travelling di.spensary
whicii hud been a very great snece.ss. Therefore, 1 would ask the (lovern-
ment to pomler over this matter of travelling dispensaries and start them
ami I am sure w’e shall have a healthier and better village |>eople.
Mr. BADIUZZAMAN MUHAMMAD ILIAS: Sir, I rise here to speak
only a few word.s about item No. — Public Health. I submit that
public health much lu/ore important and urgent than medical treat-
ment. 1 think public health is preventive' and metlical is curative, and
we always know that prevention is l>etter than cure. I would luways
welcome if the Hon^ble Minister would allot more money for public
J DEMAND FOB GRANTS. W
} compare tlw* potir healtli of flu* peoiilp of'thia prorince
With that of tbe people of New Zealand, Austruliu and oilier free
countries, 1 cannot, but be disheartened and hopeless and criticise, rather
condemn, the callousness and dilatory habit of the present (loverninent.
1 know that they are within the four corners of the (lovernment of Indift
Act, Still, whatever power they have ^»»t, they should proceed
on with the sincere object fif amciioratinj,- the |K>or health cmidition of
the people ot this proviiu'e. In this coune(‘tiou, I will offer some suic'jrea-
tions. I .shall first cite some examples which will prove how the
condition of j)uhlir licaltii in our pnodiice has fletcnoratcfL The cullouH-
ness and the ne^li^>’ence of the fioveriiment was so palpable that
they did not afjree to jrive effect in iull to the recommcnoations of the
Health Survey and JX*vch»pmcnt t'ommittee presidcfl over by Sir Joseph
Hhoi'e. It the recommendations of that ( ommittee were iriven effect to
in full swin^, then this prohlem whicli is the most vital of all problems
of this [irovince would have to a jfreater extent been solved. Sir, the
people of rural areas supfily us with the most vital things in life and are
the backbone ot the province. Thesf* medical lacilifics and the arrunt<e-
ment for public .sanitation in rural areas uie not at all cncouraffifift and
helpful. So I invoke the attention of the tJtiveinment ami particularly
the llon'hle Minister eoueerned that immediate attention should be given
to the rural areas.
Jteirardini,^ w ater-siipplv , Sir, it is rea)l\ a mutter of great regret
that in one of (he unions in m\ constituency, vi/... Chaluahari I'nion,
there are onl.\ tliree or four tuhe-w'ells. majority of which are out of
order and people of (liat union particularly arc to talo* water from
stagn.int piads. As a result the epiflemic attack of (dadera is frequent
and the condition of samtalion is very jlephuablc The so-(*alled
Saiiitarv Inspectors ami Health Assistants neglei't (heir dul\ in an open
w'ay, hut it is not taken notice of h^ the authorities coneerned. Sir, 1
have seen in sevtU’al hazais that these officers aie more loisy ill taking
bribes from fishermen and milkmen on the plea ot cheeking and examining
rotten fish ami adulterated milk In (his wa> the work is going on.
S<». I invoke (he attention of the lloirblc Minister to give more attention
to those areas.
Now. I will SUN legarding communal latio which is not at ail being
m.uiitaiiied in the Puldie Ht'alth llepartmeiit .
(At this stage the red light was lit.i
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr 1) las. \our time is uj).
Mr. BADIUZZAMAH MUHAMMAD ILIA8: Two minutes more.
Mr. SPEAKER: 1 can allow \oii hall a minute oui^.
Mr. BAOlUUAMAN MUHAMMAD ILIAS: (bmmunul ratio is not
maintained in the Public Health and Kngiiieering Department. 1 found
that the ca.ste Hindu uulhorities tliere have got a double-barrel gun «o
far as promotion is concerned. One-barrel is efficiency and tbe other barrel
is aeniorify. When a Muslim is senior and he is to he promoted, they
bring in the question of efficiency; W'hen a Muslim is efficient they bring
in the question of seniority, ami in this way tlu; interests of the Muslima
are hampered.
One word to the Coiigiess Party in this re^[>ect. Most of them W'ho
have come over here are fattened lawyers Here they have come wdth an
air of complex and profession that they are to do semce to the country
and community. 1 tell them, Sir, not h> cut moiioti, but bv co-operation
with the Government that the^e vital problems may be solved. In thi»
respect that will be more convenient for those people to join hands with
the Government and try to^^ameliorate the condition of the people in general
of this country.
aa
3M
DEMAND FOB GBANT8.
[26th Sept.,
Mr. KAHAItAL OE : Wffl WII. mw ^iwn ♦ftm cf
Kiwf^iwfrni ’Pi’T ^ c»ff¥ trcfs cw k*t ’wr ^wt;*fi < 19 ^
^fcw^ ’■nrsrts^fii^ to tor tnff^ ^ 1 ▼^n
?1 ^ TO»r TOtl C^ ’PTO ?ftC^ C«TfV TO o'SfCf tffe
▼?! ?r5i ?n I ^ <R Public Health Departmeiit<iR c’tf^Tc^
TO TO fTOOP I »rfyrtfT¥ ^ TOfTO <TO fTOC^ <7!^ f^TO TO^ <il^iR
C¥ TO 4^ Public Health 4? Director ▼«! 9CTO?i #f TOR TO C¥R
TOf^ *ffTO I TOt^ ^COf WW ^ TOt^ C^T^ OSTC^ TO #1 (RfR RIto I
4 TOT TO ^R IJTOT ^ CTO <Rt^ c^ I 4^ Director TOt*ni #» Departments?
TO cmro TO Sif’t ?T??R TOR c? iiTO? Maternity Superintendent Mrs,
Subama Mittra ^ TOfira ?R?tc? ?Rt ¥flTO ^t<fT TOTO i 4^ Public Healths?
Director TOR |TOR, ?i f^; c^R tRC?^ TO tor ri i 4 ^
TO TOR ?V1 ?CTO^ Public Health Departments Communal ratio RTOft
TOU TO ?1 ; (TTTOT »lf«(R«R5: OT?t ’tR I Rtf? ?TO1 C?
TO w? AsBietant Directorc?? ?c?Tf^f? 'br ytoTO
Mr. Sptakar ; Y ou are speaking on the cut motion.
Mr. KANAILAL DE : Now I am speaking on the motion, s^ Public Health
Departments c? ?▼? TO ^ c?9?i TOr« cTO
?C? ?fCi» Quinines? wTO, CTOR ?f3 ft.oo.ooos ^T?i ??i too^i ?T;TO5
ft» TORT TO? ?»C*t ^fl !fm ?TO I TOTCf? !R?R1 TOTOl C?? ?fK?l 4 f??!? TOC ? ? .
Rtf? C?^ r?! ?TO1 ?1 I wtf? CTO»r 4¥^ ▼?! ?TO 5tt C? 4^ ^«TTOl ??C?? 4TORI
?RrR ward srst ?twR to tao f-m ?? i rwt ?i:s!i cto fro? ??
?R1 ?R I 4^ C? ?ft? r??l ?CTC TO ?ttTO f?TO^ ?C? I TO
^^7 TO ?R, ?TC^ post natal 4?^ anti-natal care c?^?i ?? 4?*s ?fr$ maternity clinic
rjvm Sub-divisions? TOR TOR cTOi ?? ^ w?t ?nTO ?<R3^ ?7?n to^
Eftn I S'Sirvflb ?tNRi CTO? fifw^ *frtt?c?? ’r?n ¥c? froc? i c? ??t
flfv® wR t??, STO RR C? ??¥ CR I C?^ ?R7 ?^t ?C?1TO? ¥?'?! tn?35T¥ RftgTC? ?fi:?T
4¥W? To TO TO (TO (??? aRC?N fvc? ^ ?Rn ¥?1 I
Rtl? WR S¥f^ fro? ?TO TO. ?¥J1 (TO C??’! ?imTO ?t•^^ CTO m ¥C?C? ¥%
4 m% ?mi ?1 ¥TO ?r^in C?1 Malaria ??, ?¥JR TORC? TOlHl ?C1
TO I ¥t?rCT? Rt^JC^ ? TO ?r5 fM¥^?R TO7 ¥W5R ETOC^ STI^ T¥p
Rti(jc^?fTO7Rt?? ♦ffTORRR CTOi ?c?c?, ?ffs (TTtfl^rtir? bOl^ bed WtC?, C??IC? C¥rTO ?t?t?T
¥11 ??1? I ?t«f?^t?? ¥?1 ?¥cTO To? ; C?TO ?rFRTO ^ ¥?1 ??. 4?*v Rtf?
WTf? ?i ?¥p (TO'y CTOtC? fro T*!*!'^? TOWT ?C? fk? 4C?C?^ 4?^ ^ TO <R? TOl
fi|?<R ¥?r?? I St ?R?^ VmTOtC?? TOT 4 ?^?C? ?trfC^ ff f?T 4 ^ ?f? ¥?1 ??f? I
Maternity s?; Child-welfaresi TO5 TO oc.ooos ttW] ??i ?c?c?. t?i tofj wtfp i
TO 4 ¥E To To Rtf? TOR ?TOJ Cl? ?Rr8 TO, C?¥?l ?C?5 ?nTO TO? ¥,t (TO? fTO »
Rtf^ C? CWRl CTO RRH, C?t IPJ?! CR«U, ?n*n C?n? ?C?T R? CR? (TO wWRR TvtH
c?<t l 4l CWTO, RT?Rf? Non-ofllcial, TOR?! RfiTO RCVffCR?, TO! ?CR? C? 4RCT
RTO to CTO da tm chrY rtoi i :>o to co ertr cto? ?r c? crto croc? ?f?
to flWR C?W*> TO TO 4^! fw TO? ItoW tor I sTO? TO fRlRTOR 4Rtl
Leper colony wrm tot c?l! fc???fai i
Mr. IpNktr: :Mir. De, Yow tune is «p.
1946 .]
MMIND FOR GRANTS.
m
Wr. KANAILAL OE : cw ¥ff|i vf 4W vnm mw
Leper cw wffi !ffwf rv ^ {^*1^ fV, c¥5f w wf^n «nrf?f j ^
am ^ ^TfOTtl wsrr, Malnutrition 4fi»5n ?i ^ >!m ¥fi f¥¥n, Statistice
wWi fTfW I ^ ^c«Tt ^ ^»r!? 3inft?e’?tc¥, u^-tt e T n i fwt
111 ttvs f%f^ or c^rn wrm ^ ¥*e
▼cw 4^ ’rc^ tyfwcww wnm tow i
Mr. DEBENDRA MATH SEM: Mr. Speaker, Sir. when I tableil tliia
cut motion, I had not the slightest idea that I have to carry discussion
on this subject, the subject being the w'orkiug of the Asausol Mines
Board of Health. I had not the slightest idea that I have to carry
discussion on a subject at a peciiliary painful environment caused by
(the sudden outbreak of cholera in the epidemic form in one colliery
•area in Asansol. But this simple incident and the reaction of the
Asansol Mines Board of Health to this epidemic will abundantly
illustrate the charge which 1 am going to make against this body to«lay— *
the charge of incompetency, inefficiency, slolhfulness and inaiffer<*nce.
•('holeia broke out on the loth Sept(*mher lust. There is u
Vegular telephone service? between the office of the (’(dliery and the office
:of the Asansol Mines Board of Health. 'I'here is a pitched mot<truhle
road hetw’een Asansol and the said c(dlier\ area and the t'hi«*f Medical
Officer of the Asansol Mines Board of Health has got a motor of his
OW’D, but he could not make time to go to that ar(*u before the HHh of
September, that is four days after and by that time several people had
already died. When I reached personally on the v^vinl <»f September. 1
found that out of dtl eases about ‘J(i hud already die<l and the conditions of
the remaining were not in any way better. These people were segregated
but they were segregate«l to a pho’e whieh is dreary and dark. The r(H)f
is leaky. There was fm airangcineiit for nursing <»r any other attendants;
there wa^ mt arrangement t<»r reiimviiig the riiglit-soil; tfi»‘s were havitjg a
sumptuously brilliant feast and from the .sanitai> point of view\ th«
conditions were horrible. It is not onl\ this <jiiestion which brings to
the forefront the apath> and im-onijH'tenee rd flie Asansol Mines Itoard
of Health, but I have also got a report. That repoit is with nn* and
1 find from that report that in the >eai l!t4d.44. about 44.iK)0 |M*opIe
were attacked wutli malaria. I also find from that report that in tufit
very year lH4d-44, there were ti. tMMt lases of dysentery and diarroea,
cases of re.spiratory diseases and out ot llfiT cases of cholera 441 hud died
Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is not only to this aspect of jmhlic health that
I want to draw the attention of this House, hut there is a larger aspect
of the problem to which I also would like to draw the attention of thin
House through you. That larger aspect is this that if on any m-casion
there is an epidemic in any colliery area, immediately that colliery in
stopped with the consequent result that the supply of coal is also stoppd
anil 1 say that the Board which is espi?cially charge<l w'ith the responsibility
of looking after the sanitation of that area bus got also to
look into that side of national aspect. Within the short time at my
disposal 1 think I will not be able to do full justice to this question. I
would only like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Minister through
you. Sir, to the composition of the Asansol Mines Ikmrd of Health. The
Koyal Commission recommends that such Boards of Health
(At this stage the member having reached the time-limit resumed his
seat. )
Thi Hon’bltl Mf. MOHAMMED ALIS Sir, Mrs. Sen referred to the
matermty and child welfare in the province. About inadequacy of the
provision under this head, she will know that we have provided for a sum
of Rs. 2 lakhs for the construction of maternity and ciiild welfare clmiot
throughout the province. The difficulty in starting these clinics is that
m
DEMAND FOE GRANTS.
[ 26 th Sept.,
we have not got trained, health yieitors. We have got health viaitors
achool, hut sufficient number of girls do not come forward to undertake
this training. This is the difficulty and we are seriously considering
the question of revising the curriruhiin, so that teaching may be imparted
in the vernacular in order to facilitate the training of trainees in this
school. That is a question which is engaging our attention, but unless
we get a larger nuiriber of health visitors, it will not be possible for
(loverninent to start those maternity and child welfare clinics. Sir, we
have got in tins iiudget, a provision of lis. ">0,000 for ^rants-in-aid to
local bodies tor starting the.se clinics. Several local bodies have taken
advantage of (joverntnent’s financial assistuiHe in the establishment of
inuterniiN and child welfare clinics, but unfortunately for the very same
reason mentioned earlier, viz., difficulty in getting qualified persons to
run these clinics, we cannot establish as many clinics as we would like to
start in this province.
So far us Mrs. Sen Gupta is concerned, she has referred to the dearth
of medical facilities in her district. If she will notice in her district, she
will find that within a space of 2, ">00 square miles, we have
one bc<l per 1,020 of population, which works out at b per mille of pupula>
tion. This compares favourably with the facilities in other districts
and very favourably with the medical facilities available in British India
where tne number of beds ]>er mille of jK)pulation is only 24. Sir, I
agree that the facilities are not ade<iuate and efforts should be made, so
that we have at least five beds per thousand ]K>pulation, but unfortunately
we cannot accelerate or step up jliese facilities. If our post-war reconstruc-
tion scheme uiateriulises, then we shall have 7") per thousand population.
So fai as Mr. Ilias is concerned, he bus referred to a very important
que.stion, namel>, combination of preventive and curative as])eets of
medicine. He has stated that prevention is better than cure. That is
no doubt correct, but there are diseuse.s and illm*sses w’hicli cannot be
prevented. Tlierefore ilue importance must be giv(*n to both sides of
the question— prevention and cure. I sliould like to bring to his notice
lliat so fur as 1‘ublic Health l>ei>urtment is concerned, (lovernment of
Bengal has been gruduall\ increasing its allotment under this head.
In the year 1942-43, there was an allotment of Rs. 35, 9."), 000 ; in 1943-44
Us. li(i,25.lK)0 W’as allotted. In 1944-45 the amount allotteil was
Hs. I,09.3(h000 and in the .\ear 1945-4(1 Us. 1,04, 08, 000 was provided.
That was less than tlie provision in 1944-45. In 1940-47 Rs. 1.89,74,000
has heiMi jirovidial in the Budg(‘t. So it will appear that the allotment
under this head has been s\ ste!naticall> ami gradualh increa.sing.
So far ns the Bhore ( ’oinmittee > reeomm«*ndati()ns are concerned,
tliev are being examiiUMl h\ (iovernment. As I have nderred to earlier
in the House, the (lovernment of India have conyeued a conference of ail
Provincial Ministers, so that thi« question ma> he carefully exapiined
an<l Government of India would like that all the Provincial Govern-
ments should agree to follow a uniform policy tlm>ughout the country.
1 had intended to attend this conference, but I find now that I am unable
to attend tliut conference in view of the declaration made by the Hon'ble
(Tlaef Minister on the floor of this House yesterday. Nevertheless. I
can assure the Hou.se that we shall implement us fur us practicable the
recommendation of the Health Survey Development ('ommittee, and in
order tt> ascertain its usefulness, we have put into operation at the
present moment, two Pilot jH^bemes in the province, one at Palba and
the other at Kaliganj. These experiments are continuing and on the
results thereof, we shall be able to launch our schemes throughout the
province.
Mr. Ilias has referred to the question of water-supply in the province.
Sir, in this regard 1 would give the House some mea of our poRoy in
aonneoUon with- improvement of water-supply in rural areas: As tine
_^§46.] DEMAND FDR GRANTS.
immediate short term objective the Bhore t'nnimittee has reroimii»iided
one source of water-supply for every otKt of the |Mif»ulation ; while as the
ultimate lonjy term «)hjective they have recomiiu*nile«l one bo' evt^y 2(H1
of the population. AVe liave adopted the former as out pn'seut objective;
and it i*. hoj>t*d tliat this (d»jective will be a(‘hieved within the next hve
years.
Foruuoly the l^rovineial Budjxet U'^ed to make a lump sum provision
varvinjr troiu !akh> to 1(1 lakh^ ot rupees lei rural water-supply. In
the current \ear. h(»wever. rural watei-viipph han lu‘en includeil as a
."iheme in (bnaunnunt'^ p(Kt-uar projrramiue An amount of All lakhs
ol rupees has lieen aihuted for the i'urient \eai in the IK’velop-
^ifient Budget and it is iuiptMi that sninlai aiiiounis will he allotted tn
siihseijuent years toi the next four \ears. II this provision is made for
a period of o \ears and it materials m '.ullinenl (juantilies are available,
it is lioped that at the end «d fiv«* \ea»s. theie won hi he a source of
water-supply foi evers olM) of the population. In the (Oirreiit year, out
ot a total allotment ol •*»(• lakliN as mentioned above*. JD lakhs liavt* been
allottee! feir new source.s eif vvate*r-suppl\ . The.se take' mainly tlie form
of tulie-wells, hut in certain are*as w’here tub^'-well.s are imt suee*essful,
tanks are excavated and masonry wells sunk out of this alieittnent. This
work is eleme elire*ct by the I)irecte»rule of I’ublie Health Knjrim'erin^,
The sites an*, liowever. selee’teel by l>istriet Magistrates in eonsulliition
with the iion-otlieials of the elistnet and, purticubirly, the ('huirnttm of
the* District Hoards. In adelition te> sinkinjit n(*w tubc-wclls (Jovern-
m^'nt has unelortaken, feu- eme'c euily, the repair ed ail the cxistiiift tube-
-^'dls in the preivince. (ieivcrnment have taken tin* responsibilitv for
flu* repair ed the existin^r tube-weljs in the elistne*ts in (he* e*vent of lli(*ir
beiiifr unseiviee*able anel in de*relie l ceuiditieui There* an* a large* niimher
fd tithe- w'ells sunk by leeral beielies in the* distrie'ts, but Govern-
ment elo not take* the* respemsibility of keeping them in working eirder
for all time. (je)Vt*rnme*nt, as I liave saiel before*, are* re'sponsible for
the repair of the existing tuhe-wells only emee. In the initial stages
(bivernmeiit take the re*sponsibilit> eef k«*eping them in servic<*able
condition, Imt the ultimate respe»nsihilit> for kccfung them in weirklng
order vests with the le)cal bealies. A sum of Hs. H) lakhs lias been
allotteel for this work out of tlie total allotm**nt and the* work ed re'pair
IS now ])roceeeling. Apart from this no'asure, wbie'b m«*aiiH r«*|»iiir ed
tube-wells one*e emly, allotments are being muele to l)istrie*t Magistrafen
for maintenanee of tub<*-wells in their respective elistricts. District
Magistrates have lieeu instructed to spenel this allotme*nt in consultation
with the (’huirmen of (he District Boards anel with the help of tlo'ir slafl.
permanent scheme for maintenanee of rural tuhe-wells is also
Under con.sideration ed this department. It is pro|>ose*d ((» utilise District
Board staff as far as possible in (he wcirk ed maintenance, while the
ultimate control must remain with fiovernmeiit as the bulk of the money
for this purpose will obviously have to eonie from (iovernment.
My friend, Mr. Kanai Lai De, has objected to a non-Bengali being
appointed as Director of Public Health, Bengal. I do not undcrstaBi)
how such an objection can come from a member of the Congress
Parliamentary Party. AfVhile on the one hainl they say thal India is one
and all the Indians one nation, on the other, they bring in
territorial distinction an<l the question of Bengali and non-Bengali. It
does not lie in the mouth of a (’ongress memlH*r to blow hot and cobl in the
same breath.
He has also referred to the help that Government give to the Tadavpur
T. B. Hospital, w^here T. B. patients from ail over the country come for
imtment. It is true thal there are very few institutioiw ol this kind
mid that Jadavpor is the only hospital where T. B.' patients get proper
S40
DEMAND POE GRANTS.
[26th Sett.,
treatment. In addition to a anm of Bs. 80,000 which is given to this
institution as a recurring grant, Government also gives it non-reciirring
grants very generously.
Mr. Sen has referred to the working and constitution of the Asansol
Mining Board. It is a self-governing body and its administration lies
with officials and non-officials who constitute the Board. Therefore so
far as the question of its internal administration is concerned, the
responsibility does not lie with the Government.
With these words, I oppose all the cut motions and commend my
motion for voting of supplies to the acceptance of the House.
The motion of Mr. Dhirendra Nath Datta that the demand of
Rh. 1,88,82,000 for expenditure under the head ‘‘39— Public Health*' be
reduced by Rh. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mrs. Aslialata Sen that the demand of Rs. 1,88,82 000
for expenditure under the head “39--^Public Health” be reduced by
Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
J he motion of Mrs. Nellie Sen Gupta: that the demand of
Rs. 1,88,82,000 for expenditure under the head ”39— Public Health” be
reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
f Mr Debendru Nath Sen that the demand of
Ks. for expenditure under the head “39— Public Health” be
reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Kanai Lai De that the demand of Rs. 1,88,82 000
^r expenditure under the head ”39— Public Health” be reduced’ by
Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Kanai Lai De that the demand of Rs. 1,88,82 000
V?'' under the head ‘‘39-Public Health” be reduced’ by
Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
1 > Hon’ble Mr Mohammed Ali that a sum of
Rs. 1 88,82,000 be granted for expenditure under the head ”39— Public
Health , was then put and agreed to.
business remaining may be carried over to to-
morrow, There wull be no question tomorrow.
Adjournment
.1 “t 5-30 p.m. till 2-30 p.m. on Friday,
the 27th beptemher, 1946, at the Assembly House, Calcutta.
Proceedings of the Bengal Legislative Assembly assembled under
the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935 .
The Assembly met in Ibe Aasembly House, Calcutta, on Friday, the
27th September, 1946, at 2-30 p.m.
Prsssttt:
Speaker (the Hon'ble Mr. Nurul Amin) in the Chair, 6 Hoa'bls
Ministers and 188 members.
Committee on Petitions and Library Committeoe
Mr. SPEAKER: In accordance with the provisions of rule 82 of the
Bengal Legislative Assembly Procedure Rules, I nominate the following
seven members of the Asseinhly to form the rommittee on Petitions with
the Deputy Speaker as Thairman : —
Mr. G. C. D. Wilks.
Mr. Paniruddin Ahmed.
Mr. A. T. Mazharul Haque.
Mr. W. C. Wordftw’orth, < m.e.
Mr. Banku Behari Mundal.
Mr. Bimal Chandra Sinha, and
Mr. Charu Chandra Bhandari.
Tnder rule 2 of the rules regulating the Bengal Legislature, I nominate
the following members to serve on the Joint Library Committee: —
Mr. Tafuzzal All, Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy, and
Mr. W. C. Wordsworth, (M.E.
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
S-Silt
, J.*" **':• «HAM$U00IN AHMED: On the recommendation
Of His LxeelJency the (iovernor, 1 beg to move that a sum of Rs. 79 000
be granted for expenditure under the head “5— Salt”. '
i> ^ the demand of
Its. ly.OtKJ tor expenditure under the head “o — Salt” he reduced by Rs. 100
and in this connection 1 wish to raise a discussion about the failure of
Government to give facilities to the people to manufacture salt and about
withdrawing all restrictions in this connection.
Mr. RAMHARI ROY: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the budget estimates palpably
show the failure of the (L>vernment to yive facilities to the people to
manufacture salt by withdrawing all restrictions in this c/mnection. I shall
nrst of all narrate the backgroun<l and then the causes of failure of Govern-
ment and then I shall discuss the budget estimate.
Sir, the history of the Muslim lieague administration is the history of
misrule in Bengal. It is the history of communalism ; it is the history of
nepotism; it is the history of corruption and bribery and it is the history
of mefficiency, incompetency and partiality. It is the history of systematic
attempts to crush the minority
Til. Mr. m^yDOIN AHMED: Oa . point of ord.r, Sir.
We are now discussing the salt budget and not the minority ouestion.
141 DEMAND FOR GRANTS. [27th
Mr. fFIAKEH: I would ask you, Mr. Roy, to confine yourself to the
salt budget.
Mr. RAMHARI ROY: I am ooniiug to that, Sir. The history i?i
repeating itself in the present regime with all its virulence with the excep-
tion that the present Ministry has carried coinrnunaiism to a very indecent
and nauseating plane. Absence of any planning for real development of the
province murks the present adininiatration, but certainly there is a general
well-designed plan running through every department of the administra-
tion:- it is the plan of serving comniimal interests; it is the plant fd seiTing
the selfish ends of the Ministers: it is the plan of serving the party
advantages and it is the plan of firoviding the cho.sen peo])le of the Ministry
with jamts and contracts with the ulterior iii(»tive of strengthening their
party. Iteali.sation of selfish ends and party advaniages are the two polar
stars that guide ever\ action of the Ministrv. Members on the (government
side may feel complacent that this Ministrv is serving the interests of the
Muslims-
Mr. SPEAKER* The honourable member should remember that he is
speaking on salt.
Mr. RAMHARI ROY: At the outset 1 am tiacing the history and the
background and then I propose to come to salt.
1 can tell tlie House that so long as the Ministry will maintain and
pursue tlu‘ir sectional and communal policy, it cannot serve the interest ot
|tbe people, neither the Muslims imr the Hindus. Ami so long as this ]»olicy
contimies, the Ministry will never he able to give facilities to the people to
manufacture salt for the good of the people ot Hengal. Jt is for this reason
that I think it is necessary to narrate tlie huckground of this communal
Ministry so that my speech will fully explain the lioj>eless position wc are
now in. This Ministry is out to utilise their present positio?i for the
realisation of the uforesai<l ej»ds and not to do any real seiviee to the people
of Hengal, even to the Muslim population of Hengal. I ndouhtedly this
sectional and communal Ministry is trying to serve the middle class educated
and graduate Muslims hy providing them with (jovcrnment .services and
trade facilitie.s, etc. Hut may 1 a.sk the honourahle memher,‘' on the (lovern-
ment side what percentage do they compri.se of the entire Muslim jmpulation
of Bengali Certainl\ IIm'v are not more than ten i)er ci*nt. Interests of
the 90 per cent. Muslims remain nnfulfilled. The real interests of the
Muslims are really the interests «if the uneducated dumb millions of the
Muslim musses. I know there are progressive minded people in the Muslim
League also. Either they are miseruhiy unorgani.sed or they are too weak
to voice their feelings and press their demands. The time has come that
they must organise thein.selves and pres.s the Ministrv to action of general
welfare for tlie Muslim musses. Then and then only they will he able to
aerve the people of Bengal because 1 feel tiiat the political and economic
interests of the Muslim and Hindu masses are more or less the same. I
therefore appeal to the progressive section of the Mu.slim I^eague party to
rise to the occasion that the time deiuamhs and that they should no longer
allow the Ministry to exploit the ignorant dumb Muslim masse.s. So the
present mental outlook and the attitude of the Ministrv and the principle
they are following and the policy they are pursuing are amongst others, 1
Ihink, the chief causes of the failure of the (Government to achieve success
in any direction
Mr. BREAKER: Mr. Ho),^ would ask you to come to the point.
Mr# RAMHARI ROY: Now, Sir, 1 shall deal with the demand under
the head “Salt*'. Here also we find the same story of wasteful expenditure
of nublic money in the name of so-called development. There is nothing
of developnient in it. The Government has miserably iaiM to encourage
Ike sili industry of Bengal in spite of its nice possibilities in the sea coast
IWe.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS* lift
areas of Bengal. Everybody knows that salt is one of the prime neeeeaities
of life. The very first duty of the Government is to eneoump salt industry
which the (fovernment has miseruhlv failed and which the Bengal Govern-
ment has not cared to do. Looking into the exiieudihire side what do we
see^ We see that in this demand Its. TlhtKtO h».s Wn asked for grant.
Out of this, Rs. JhS.iKMl is for the pay of establishment for travelling and
other allowances Rs, ‘.3,40(1 and for dearness allowance Hs. 23, 800, that is„
Rs. 04/200 out of Rs. 7fl,(M10 is meant f«»r payment of establishment,
travelling and other allowances and dearness allowances. Gnly Rs. 14,800
remains for industrial piirp(tses. In the \ear 104 *>-40. actttal ex|>enditurt‘
was Rs. (J0,(i08. Increase in the present \ ear's expemhlnre is due mainly
to (1) the inclusion ot full twelve months provision in respt*ct of an addi-
tional staff of two Assistant Salt officers and tuo I'uhlieity (HHeers employ-
ed for a few months in the previous year; i ‘2 ) inerease in pay of low-paid
Government servants; (3| urrear deariu'ss allowanee as lias been stated ill
the explanatory memorandum in the hudget. Thus we find it is not u really
industrial ]>lan at all; rather it is a plan for further providing at least two
men of tlie choice of the Ministry with posts. Though it has l»een said
that the ]irovisi(ui under this head is in respect of uii experimental scheme
for the development of salt production as a (M»ttuge industry hy the establish-
ment of salt ware-houses in the districts of Midnupore, *24*PurganaH. ( hitta-
goiig, Noakhali and Bakarganj. vhat we really find is not an encouragment
of industry but only tlie maintenance of an esiablisbment. Tiiue is rioe that
the Ministers sbouid think constructively and come* forward with real plans
of developments. So long they will }>lay the communal role, the reactionary
role, they will not be abb* to do it. So, 1 appeal to them to give U]> their
reactionary' role and take up the progn*ssive role for tlie good of Muslims,
for the good of Bengal and tor the good of humanity .
The Hon’ble Mr. SHAM8UDDIN AHMED: Mr. Speaker. Sir. my
friend, Mr. Rainhari Roy, Imils from Malda and I thought he would give U«
some iiew.s about the* Maldu mangoes which a»'c* very sweet. He did not
talk about salt in the Iwginiiing— possibly he thought it to be the opportune
moment and instead lie talked about the most irndevaut thing jiossirde not
only oTi the floor of this Hou.se but anywhere. However, I leave that aside.
Now. for the edification of my friend and foi the c*dification of this House,
I may .say that it is very unfortunate that this cjuestion of salt has been
kept in the huckground. WhyP Xot on account of this League Ministry
whic h has begun to funclion only tour months buck. But my friend very
well knows that in RKKl then* was a civil disolwdieucH* movement and a salt
campaign was conductc*(l. Why r* Because there arc restrictions on the
production of salt, on the manufacture of salt.
Mr. HARIPADA CHATTERJEE: Did you take part in that campaign?
Th« Hofi’ble Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Yes, I participated in the
salt campaign and I was in»f>risoned al.so.
The whole thing comes to this. Whether it is in the sphere of the
development of cotton industry or in the clevelojmient of salt industry, the
ven' same thing weighs on vour shoulders and on our shoulders. We know
that owing to the fon-igri nib* we have been subjecti'd to various restrictions
and difficulties and salt is one of them. All my friends know and
Mr (’hatterjee also knows—I do not know whetlier he was assaulted— that
all partieipafed in the salt campaign. AVhy? Because neople wanted that
this salt should be prepared every where in Bengal. Salt can be prepared
at any and every' place. In the sea-water we have got salt, m the water
ol many of the rivers of Bengal there is salt and in soil also there is salt/—
that was experimented in 11130. \ erv near Mahishhathan, not far off from
this place, there was rt^iourse to pnaliiction of salt from sful. After 1 to^
charge of thia departinoiit, the Bengal Government tried certain ex p«fl-
menis. Finding it very difficult one Industrial Survey Committee wan
344
BEMUTD FOB GRANTS.
[27th Skft.,
appointed and tba'I committee submitted its report in 1944. It recommended
certain steps for the manufacture of salt ana those steps were that a Salt
Institute snould be established in Bengal or a Central Laboratory or some
eort of factory should be established in Bengal and that some staff should
be appointed — at least a Special Development Officer should be appointed —
and that there should be one Advisory Committee. It was then section 93
Government and files went from department to department. About the
appointment of an officer — the Salt Development Officer — already two years
have passed but even today it has not been possible to procure such an
officer. Therefore, I have decided that, to start with, we will have an
Advisory Committee very soon, one Salt Institute — Central Laboratory —
where experiments will be going on and then there will be other staff.
Advertisements were made for a Special Development Officer and we tried
to have such an officer even from outside but we have not been successful.
Therefore, it has been decided that the Advisory Committee will be appoint-
ed and one Central Laboratory will be established very soon. I have already
ordered and I hope within two months’ time the whole thing will begin to
function.
Now, Sir, practically speaking, nothing has been done as yet excepting
that some private individuals have started certain factories — the Bengal
Salt Factory, the Pioneer Salt Factory, etc. They have produced salt and
we have found that salt is eatable and very good and sometimes it compares
favourably with the Liverpool salt also. But for want of encouragement
and for want of adequate help these factories could not make any headway.
In short, what I have stated is the position. Meanwhile certain warehouses
about which my friend has mentioned have been established. About 17
warehouses have been established in Midnapore, 24-Pargana8 and certain
other districts, but these warehouses did not give very good results and we
are going to abolish about 9 warehouses very soon and the other warehouses
will function.
As regards help to the cottage industries, we are thinking what sort of
help could be given by (lovernment. After we have established laboratories
and after we have finished experiments, we hope that we will be able to
help them and Government will be in a position to give directions even to
cottage workers who produce salt. And Government will be able to take
a jump into the production of salt in this Pnivince. 1 hope, Sir, Bengal
has got a very good prospect as regards production of salt and I have not
the least doubt that if Government goes forward — and as we found the other
day Pundit Nehru announced that the Central Government was trying to
abolish salt duty which is about Rs. 9 i rores — if that is resorted to, people
will be relieved from paying salt tax. That will also relieve the buraen
from the shoulders of people.
Sir, 1 have nothing more to add. At the present moment, even if the
League Ministry is functioning, I can assure my friends that steps are
being token and, irreH|>ective of what my honourable friend feels, or others
of his party feel, Government will function and will give due consideration
to the claims of all those who are running the factories and of those cottage
workers who want to prepare salt. And I hope that in no distant time we
will see that Bengal produces salt in sufficient quantity for her own
consumption.
With these words I oppose the cut motions and urge Jhe Bfouse for the
acceptance of my motion. ^
The motion of Mr. Dhananjoy Boy that the demand of Rs. 79,000 for
expenditure under the head * *5— Salt” be reduced by Rs. 100 was then put
and lost.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed that a sum of
Be. 79,000 be granted for expenditure under the head ”5<~-Salt” waa tbaa
imt and agreed tp.
1946 .]
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
945
4— Taxes on income other than Corporation tax.
The Hon*ble Mr, MOHAMMED ALI* Sir, on the reeommeiulntion of
His Excellency the Governor I beg to move that n 8um of li». 2,54,000 be
granted for expenditure under the head “Taxei* on income other than
Corporation tax”.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Sir. I beg to move that the demand
of Rs. 2,o4,0^ for expenditure under llie head “Taxes on income other
than Corporation tax” W redumi bv Ris. 100. 1 move this in order to raiae
a discussion about the inconvenience and hanlsliin of the tax-pavers due to
the wrong manner of administration of the Agricultural Income-Tax Act and
Rules and also due to the apinnils being heard by the As»<istant (Commissioner
in Calcutta.
Sir, it is an admitted fact that taxation measure^ are e.ssential for
running the Government. Rut, Sir, this Governnu'nt, the Government of
this Province, have always ignored the important criterion justifying the
taxation measures, namely, the ability of the people to pay taxes. Like
sales tax and other taxes, the agricultural income-tax has been another
burden on the people of this Province who are suffering under taxes and
also as a result of mismanagement and bungling (d the t'ivil Supplies
Department. In my district of Dinajpur and in other districts in Rengal,
the hardship has been similar. I en<|uire(l of all mv frienils here and they
gave me the same story for every district. Tliere has been a provision in
the Act to exempt peoi)le from taxation if thev do not jmssess lands exceed-
ing one hundred highas. While this Act is being administered, you will
be surprised to learn that men posse.ssing less than hundred highas have
been assessed, so that the intention of the Act has been frustrated
altogether. Taxation has been so imieh that owner of a land measuring
about 125 bigbas has been assessed at a tax of Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 1,7()()
even. 1 do not find anything in the jirovision whereby milk produced by
cultivators or eggs or jute sticks or straw can really be assessed, but the
mischief has been done by the rules. In the Notes for Guidance in filling
up return required under sub-section (/) or (2) of section 24 mention has
been made to show’ incomes from certain items. 1 am n^ading from the
relevant portion of the rule. “All such incomes as well um those derived
from dairy and poultry farming, hafhuuM (buffalo k/iutU), fruits and flower
gardening, lac and cotton growing must he shown in tlie return.” The
intention probably w'as to assess the poultry farming arnl ilairy farming,
but if a cultivator will have one or two cows or one or twf» heads of ducks,
his income, which is very poor from tlnme sourccN, will not he taxed and
assessed. The Income-Tax Officer will assess him with an imaginary income
from eggs and milk. He will enquire from the assessee wdiether he has
cows and if in reply b) his queries the as.sessee sajs that he has one or two
cows, the officer w’ill take it that each cow gives two seers of milk for six
months. The price of milk now-a-duys is very high and imaginary income
from these small sources when add«‘d together will give a large income
though actually the cultivator has no income whatever from thr»M<* sources.
Incomes fn>m jute stick and from auM straw which do not really fetch any-
thing to the cultivator will also be taken into account. Income from one
or two mango trees, jackfruit trees and vegetables grown in kitohen garden
wiR not be exempted from taxation. This is how the cultivators are suffer-
ing from hardship by the administration of this Agricultural Income-Tax
Act. . Then again some statistical figures are kept in the Government office
showing the average production of paddy in the district. The intention of
(loveniment is to assess the actual income, but in fact, the actual produc-
tion is not ascertained but averaf^ shown in siaiistics is accepted which
causes hardship to the poor peo^e. For example, in Dinajpur there are
areas where you do not get more than six to nine maunds of paddy per acre,
Init tine Income-Tax Gffi^ will calculate the produce at 19 maunas per acre.
Thai is another thing which causes hardship. Then again these cuitivatcfrs
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[27th Sept.,
M
and poor and illit^raf€* jotedan cannot keep accounts in a manner to satisfy
the Agricultural Income-Tax Officer. The small records of accounts that
are kept are disbelieved by the Income-Tax Officer, and my experience is
that the officers are always very over-zealous; probably they think that
better posting and promotion depend on how they are able to show an increase
in the amount of tax.
Mr. SPEAKER: Y our time is up.
Mr. NI8HITHA NATH KUNDU: Pie a.se let me have one minute more.
I next ref(*r to the income derived from the assessee’s wife’.s separate
lands. Sometimes in our eountry the wife of an assessee has separate land,
for examjde, Mussalmaiis sometimes transfer lands to their wives in lieu
of dower. Documents regarding such Iraiisactious when produced before
the Income-Tax Officer arc disl)elievcd, they are taken to he henami docu-
ments. Tins is causing great hardship to the parties. Then again mlatnix
derived from the settlement or transfer of lands are also taken into considera-
tion for the purpo.se of asses.sing the tax. Sir, I have very carefully gone
through this aspect of the matter, hut I cannot find any reason why salami
should also be taxable.
Then there are other items of income from fares, melas and hats. These
are assessable under the Indian Income-Tax Act, and there is no reason
why they should he doubly assessed under the Agricultural Income-Tax Act.
Mr. SPEAKER: Your time is over. You have to make a clioice
between tlie cut motions on which you have got to concentrate your debate.
Mr. NISHITHA NATH KUNDU: Two seconds, Sir. ruder section
21 Government have power to appoint only one Assistant Income-Tax fom-
missioner. One Assistant Income-Tax (’ommissioner cannot cope with the
appellate works. He cannot go to different districts. Appellants have to
come to Calcutta from the <listricts. This causes aflditional lianlship and
costs. So some kind of modification of the Act will be necessary ft>r giving
relief to tlie ussessees. Then, Sir, you cannot get the different dates, with-
out difficulty on wliicli different steps or tadhirs^ have to be taken or made
by assessees. Agricultural Income-Tax Officers compel assessees’ or his
lawyers’ presence for taking dates. Now' it is not pr^sibb* for tbe assessees
to come to district hea(l(juarter.s or the lawyers to go only for taking those
different jlates. Direetion should be is.sued that pleaders’ clerks should be
eligible to get those dates. 1 have mentioned these points, and I submit
that tlie Hoirhle Minister will note them and try to modify the Act. It
is also suggested to raise the minimum as>essahle income to Rs. 5,(KK).
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. Kumlu, please resume your seat. Your time is
up, please resume your seat.
(The member having reacIuMl his time-limit resumed his s<»at.)
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: On a point of order, Sir. When
asking my friend to resume his seal you showed an exhibition of temper.
You should not do that.
Mr. SPEAKER: This is no exhibition of temper. I had to he louder
because he was speaking. I hud to make the Uonoiirahle memlier hear my
voice. He wanted to speak for two seconds hut he spoke for about two
minutes.
Mr. NIIHITHA NATH KUITDU: I think I was (jivon seven minutes.
Mr. tPEAKER: Ami you have spoken for about nine minutes.
Mr, ANN ADA PRASAD MANDAL: Speaker ^ mwtf ««t
out motion w'n Sdr oi, cv Agnonitiuml Inooaie-tax
4lt wm Agsiodtonllnoono-Uz Officer iviMn SmOvi gtwMIm
1946 .]
DEMAND FOE GEANTS. m
^ c¥ Ux iimi TOf c>iti jfTffr wnr wnmr ^ n «n i wrft mfir,
fyfvf^s^src^ 4 wrf? c? cro Agriouitura) Officer wn ’im (?R, ft® ff%» fw
C^, Cf W5 ^W\ fro fCf I ffnfSfCfT® agricultural income-tax fff «i1fTf fi WW
I Tfwi ftcfi »ff fttfi wff ^ ^5im
notice fttr W9\ srcin^ i Notice frir ▼?! fncf af?? »rf c^rrnw ^nn fmff¥ Irfwf
Wfi <15 ?ir<JT 3n t?i <f5 ft<] emrs n ^ fr«Tt fft<5T ; ^ <cv
wft <f5 ffcf m , ff <n vfi <f5 f] cf cfTH mn <15 1 m<i Agricultural
Income-tax iTii inn e Agricultural Officer ii ^ »ftwi f^ y tfl u
Git cai'6ki sn <ti, n ^n fi , gtoi Agricultural Income-tax iril fffl
in ^ 11 cK*) iinr ¥>n fcfci in iji*. ci na wTumr lopf ^ir it Gtafircaa
a»m ft mi vit^ Agricultural Income-tax ittr fffi mcfi ^fi wtfi atlfi aa
If, arftcn fin wfircTS ®fi income (Wi trcifini ®Ti it, income ifi mt
800s citi ifGfT5 m fmn. fVi ®fi n irtr mfvi fit wn tt w rci i
4? Wofn csTmnr Sm ci irlT ici ^fi ?ff«t ^ i cvftt' c-ltis cw a<i iia fimi
immi n m in or ivi nrsii in n i tjj ft^i income-tax
Cl iTtr n irfan irtr ¥ci. efic^ ¥®ti in rrm ci^ fm^ii ¥n mt ;
fax Income-tax Officer GT lin ft¥ utrsm m mi it i wffi mfii atJra a
®tm itit< m^n am ci iix wn<n mi cm niri irt i cit ii mm M ii, m ii
fun fi. Cl? n wnm tr k. a i‘i vn m nt rcm 4i‘ ^^>H0 ntGi
ifc¥i notice n^ii mcf, cit mi 11 cii*> S^fji fwr m notiw c»s«t fcicfi
utoTci infix rnTcn fi^TTfi^ ¥11 icicf I ¥nfi^'/i^ ivt icmn ci, it? jcf ci
»^i iKi 3 n Sm IT? I tfcim irr?. ®ti 1¥ if^Hic cni»i c»n, 51 m tax fic^wiiit
¥ici 11 . f¥i wnrc"'! cm ci it? i# at^r? cii, »? cii ii c*i ciimtj hia ch ii fmtf
m m rnrc5i ¥tfi arcn cn:iff atitc'n liin cam, nciT*cii flcxhi rciffit.
Cl nf ¥fi itri f’tcic^ in 5ii ir^fti xi ficic? ci? lit efii Siis m
?n:iC5 iCl Agricultural ln(M)rnc-tax iTii ¥ii rcffc^ i iPi citcii $ni fuc^nt iCftf l
Mr. SPEAKER: Your time ih up.
Mr. HA88AN ALl! Mi. Sp«Mkci, Sn. the h.mlslup jiml tlic gricvaucea
caUHCil hy tlif lleiigjil Agncultuial liH'oiiic-'rax Act nt m,\ ilinlrict have
been very real. I will tljcidoie speak oiil\ a jew wjhiIh on this istibject
with a \iew’ to hriugiug t<> tli«* notice ot the (iovcinmeiil tli«» iiniiiediate
nece.s!<it> of aiiieruliiig the pn»Msioij.*> of the A< t as well aw of tlie Uu)e'< in
order to give relict to the leal agmoiltuial people of Die Jhoviiice.
Sir, it is jierliups known to us all that the Jf»'nga! Ag'iiculluial Ificoine*
Tax Act was jia.ssed in liot husti- and laotain delects in imjiortant aa|M'CtH
remained to the detriment of tlie inteiests of the really agru'ulturu) people.
First, a.s to the very Freamhie ot the Act it is well known that tlie Lund
Revenue ( ominission recoiniuended that as a traiihitional ineasure towurdu
nationalisation of land there should he iinpoHition of a tax upon agricultural
income. It was understood tlien, Sir, that the resou^^M^s fliUM availahle by
imposition of this tax should he utilised for the purpose of adding nutritiott
to the land to make it more prfMluctive. It was never suspectwl even then
that these hard-earned resources of the nation should he spent away on
day-to-day administration of the country.
This great object of the law should have been incorjKirated in the
Preamble of the Act. The Preamble says, ** Whereas it is necessary to
maJM an addition to the revenues of Bengal and for the purpose of imposing
a tax on agricultural income derived from land sifnated in Bengal "
m DElfMD FOB GEANTS. [27th Sett.,
Now, Sir, in the intereet of agriculture itself the money thug available
should be earmarked for the improvement of land and the quantity and
quality of crops, and the Preamble should be amended accordingly.
The next point, Sir, is the definition of agricultural income. The
definition has been borrowed froifi the Indian Income-Tax Act which runs-
thus: “Any rent of revenue derived from land which is used for agricul-
tural purposes and is either assessed to land revenue in British India or
subject to a local rate assessed and collected by officers of the Crown as such;
any income derived from sudh land; or the performance by a cultivator or
receiver of rent in kind of any process ordinarily employed by a cultivator
or receiver of rent in kind to render the produce raised or received by him
fit to be taken to market, etc.’’.
Now, Sir, the expresHion “agricultural purposes’’ has not been defined
in the Act and taking advantage of this defect, the taxing officer assesses
upon anything and everything that may be connected with an agriculturist
because he finds that in the (jxfonl Dictionary agriculture means cultivation
of the soil for food products or aiiv other useful or valuable growtli of the
field or garden and liushaiKlrv ; al.so b\ extensive farming including any
industry practised by the cultivator of the soil in connection with such
cultivation as forestry, fruit-raising, breeding or rearing of stock, dairying,
market-gardening, etc., and husbandry means the business or occupation
of a husbandman or farmer ineluding alsf) the raising of livestock and
poultry.
Thus you will he rather surprisefl to hear, Sir, tlmt the Agricultural
Income-Tax Officer at Dinajpur has been found to assess upon hens and
their eggs, fuel wood, c.f/., pntkhuri, mango and jack fruits, and milk of
goats, cows and huffal(a*s because he thinks that find wood means forestry,
mango and jack fruit means fruit raising, and to rear a few goats or cows
or buffaloes means dairy farming, and rearing a few hens or ducks means
poultry farming.
Sir, it hits one’s eummon sense to say that the cultivators really derive
no income from these things by selling them to market. Kvervhody knows
that with the agriculturists rearing of hens and ducks, u^oats and cows and
buffaloes never mean any poultry or dairy farming either; fruits from a
few trees scattered here and there m the premi'^es never means any
hortieulture.
(At this stage the meniher having reached the time-limit resumed his
seat.}
The Hon’bit Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I can understand the reason
for Mr. Nishitha Nath Kundu and Mr. Hassun Ali’s objections regarding
the Agricultural Income-tax Ix'cause both of them come from a very large
agricultural district where tliere are many big jotedars and zamindars who
derive a large income from paddy. Tliey had so long been escaping pay-
ment of any kind of tax to the State, and after the provisions of this Act
have come into force these big joUdars and zemindars have been called
upon to contribute their share to the State for the benefit of the people of
this Province.
Sir, Mr. Nishitha Nath Kundu has referred to certain defects or grievances
in the matter of assessment. I agree with him, so far as the procedure
hitherto adopted was concerned, there was a legitimate grievance in the
matter of assessment on the basis of the statistical record prepared on the
calculation of average yield wliTch the District Agricultural Income-Tax
Officer used to follow in the matter of computing the assessment. But I
have issuetl a circular to all the Agricultural Income-Tax Officers that they
are not to go on the basis of average of any district, but they should go-
on the basis of the actual yield of the land of jtbe assessee. After the paesing
of ihis circular this grievance has been removed.
DEMAND FOB, GBANTS* ui
Sir, Mr. Hassan Ali has referred to the assessieent of manffoes and jack
matter also hardship was caused to the people. We have
now ruled that unless mangoes, jack fruits or any other Itind of fruits are
sold for commercial purposes, there will be no assessment for domestio
consumption. If the poultry or fruit is not sold for making profit, it will
^ exempted from assessment. Whether it is egg or poultry, mango or
jack fruit, or any other kind of fruit, if it is produced for the consumption*
of the family members of the assessee, it w'ill be exempted from assessment^
but if it is sold for profit it will be assessed.
Sir, Mr. Kundu lias referred to the dithculty e.\perienced in the matter
of appeal because there is only one Assistant (’ommissioner. It is agreed
that in the initial stage, after the Act has come into operation, there had
been a large number of appeals pending before the Assistant (hmmissioner,
which could not he disposed of expeditiously. But a large number of those
appeals have since been disjiosed of and the assessment is being realised from
year to year. No further <lela\ is anticipated. If there is again accumuln*
tion ot appeal ra.ses and (ioveriinieiit feel the necessity of an additional
Commissioner, another Assistant (‘oniniissioner will he appointed. It is
also realised that there i.s some hardship eaused to the assess(‘es if they have
to go to Calcutta for tlie mirpose of placing their appeals before the up|iellate
authorities. It is the policy ot the (lovernnient tliat the appellate authority
and the Commissioner will go out on tour and visit the imdussil offices SO
that the appeal can be heard locally, and this w’ill remove one of the
grievances which was keenly felt by the assessiH* when tliere was a lot of
appeals pending m one of the ranges of the Province.
Mr. Mandal from Hurdw^an has referral to the fact that hardship is
caused to the as.sessees because they have not got any correct statement of
account. Sir, that is not an excuse for being exempted from paying the
tax if they do not keep a statement of aceount. It is better in their own
interest that such a statement should he maintained heeause the Agri-
cultural Iiieome-Tax ()ffi<‘er in the absence of any assesHment can make a
flummary assessment on the basis of informution or compilation he can form.
Therefore, Sir, the excuse that a statement is not kept by an average
assessee will not help the asse.ssee in getting an exemption. So it is in tne
interest of the assessee that all proper records of income and expenditure
should be maintained.
With these words 1 ojmose all the cut motions and commend my motion
to the acceptance of the House.
The motion of Mr. Nishitha Nath Kundu that the deinund of Its. 2,54,000
for expenditure under the head “Taxes on income other than C’orporution
tax” be reduced by lis. 100 was then put ami lost.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali that a sum of Hs. 2,54,(K)0
be granted for expenditure under the head “Taxes on income other than*
Corporation .tax” was then put and agreeil to.
22~liit8r6tt oil doM and othor obligations.
Tlio Hon’bto Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the recommendation of
His Excellency the Governor 1 beg to move that a sum of Hs. 1,000 be
gnmted for expenditure under the head “22 — Interest on debt and other
obligations”.
The motion was ilthen put and agreed to.
ag<-Porta and Pilotage.
Tba HoiPblo Mr. SHAMtUDDIN AHMEO: Sir, on the recommenda-
tion of His Excellency the4}ovemor 1 beg to move that a stun of Rs. 5,42,000
bo granted for expenditure under the ii^d ”30— Ports and Pilotage”.
liO
PBMAND FOR GRANTS.
[27th Sum.,
Mr. SATINORA NATH lEN: I beg to move that the demand of
Ba. 5, 42, (MM) for expenditure under the nead “30 — Porta and Pilotage” be
reduced by B«. KK). 1 move this in order to raise a discussion about the
failure of the steamer companies in Bakarganj district to allow third class
passengers ade{[uate space and <'oinforts on board and allowing horrible
congestion and the Government’s indifference to arrange adequate redress.
Mr. CANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTACHARJEE: I beg to move
that the demand of Its. 542, (MM) for expenditure under the head ”30 — Ports
and Pilotage” Ik* reduccnl by Ks. 100. I move this in order to raise a discus-
sion about tlic grievances of the jiassengers travelling by the steamers which
run between Narayanganj-Goalundo and Chaiidpur,
Mr. Sp(Niker, Sir, ^ *rPn
^ juitenr #n 1
R3T 'irsrfm 1 »Tritc«Ti *npn ^ m
fV^I 'iiwi ’tRv cff ¥<tl 1 ^ff'O first class, second class passengerii^J
rate c^, ?flit ^ ^ ’Hrm m c’frs cr^ c^rs ; fVi
a r-f ttm v‘ ^rmii to c??; ws tos woi
¥« I tsrtTO W steamer R^T, ^ ^ su 3rc«f^ 1 ^STm c’lTO
wnr^i c!Tt I cto ftvi cr^t to^ w ?rni (t\
<fV5 TO tUfft? fVpT TO Rlt, fVl TO'^l TO ^
<ttTO5 I ^1 'mc’r 1 w rj? vs cn wm ^ topi
<vp[ vf 3nn Jifr^ 1 to ?ifl 4?i’t c?tTO vu ?n 1 farm otTO 9i
JTf!! fRfl, TO‘1 cTOit^ ¥TO TO cTOT^ TO ; mr\ cv TO^n p4 5n 1
V43 CTO »rrit CTO toto to to c^rtr^i oc^i, 4TO
to’ I 3fc*nj TO CR3 cn^ 3HI fo^I to TOC^. I 45|f^^
wrs TO nr I 3Tf*nr c^^ to nrTO^r sir^r snri to to c^cto;
^m, TOl ITOR to CTOfT? TO nr 1 3^ TO?t3l 3t^l (TT?
•ITOi TO ^\l 3PrTO TO1 ^rFT=? IPT I 4^ C»rf^JT- -C^<T ftrr'TJI TO iT?r--^f3 dune mcn
3Trwr^ wpipr TO'i TO I c^ffjfl^tvt; 4TO, 3 Twtotc 3 W) tot^, fro
•mw <?rTO to evr^ cvi“) to c^rci? ^c^ cvsfli virf^i ^rev^ TOi fro
CTOT Cf TOTO. 3tm Cf m V5f^ I TO^ TO5 tf^iTTO. TOT^ TOT ^jlTJ
— 3Pn fftM Tto 3tlTO C^TO ^^1 TOfTO. fro (7TTO TO?r TO 1 CTOT C»»vf^ I 4t
C4 '^rSTTTO TOC^ TOT t|TTOT^ ? Government 4fn^ sri evrr 3T4r^ 4C»fl fTO^ <5f
CTO <7r ? 4 VTT CTOT o»wt% 1 im 4n^ Ttort to tttc^ wtcjr Ff^t^
^Titm wsn 4¥TO RTrf^ wrfilw-TO) 4TO c^^i totti tot i i?rt»r India
Governmont4 sanction TO fTOf^i fin mm =^ 113 :
firnt^ »fTO. 93^? ’ttn ^rro rjt n Mr. lnchca|)t'> fi^fir 4 ^ commlssion4 4C’r%9Ri
(TO 1 CTO fro crofiTt^ m' to wiv® » ^ tfC^TO (?t plan Government drop to
cirs| I ^ mr TOi-'mfliR ^rtt^r vr5i ^rro TOmfTR'T? TOV ’arfirfi toh ; 3r?n tov to
TO5 44t TO TOci iron fus ▼firron mm tots 1 fin 3i vffi< »
3tf*tr» c>ft frui cror^ to ▼to, fin ^tt J t cTO ^-totto m\ fi^ro «rtTOj
▼TO ^ I ^ mroiTO m% tom Ttoto 4 ^ (M, ^ 4?fiT toti fro
ffTOTOtl^TOI WM,fAlm!f^(MTOTOTOTOW!TT3tlT!J5fi!r5 TOTO;3tIW5rT
Mil f%ff R*TO ’TO TOWTOf CTO CTOTO •rttf I tlfCl 4 ▼▼f I'St'Wt'ft TO
▼TO WTO TO) Wll >nriPlt TOfTO TO «toto-TOTOW !ff% TOI ft erro
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
m
m,]
I ^ ^nr I wf? m5 cn ^it^hn vw *ftnr c’ft’ iteamer^
^ ^ I ’nrci wwj '5d%5r5i wfn? i ^ ^ ^srcnvfcf
wif isto ^rsTT? fV T?i^i w^ tec^ I itm nr ifm, f¥i ifri« c*»t j
’frWTT? arfj ^mw! I c»r^ va^sf^ c^^fi awnr ^ jh i W
WOT C^ I CTO ffjftn ^STOR snfT CIT^ ; TO C?TO WTOf Of 9^^
TO w^T cw^ cnro sprrz to ^ \ c?to Iri class, c»fTO to ot flf»Trft\5f» toti
TO ; TOn or itOT to ttto to ^hti, to c?to «n^ m, »h tov itm cf<t
^ to tffr TOOT sTj TOsrriT to m sni tff^rora wrTOnr ^
^FOTf ^1 or TT^ or -iRi ’fiTR 5rwOT to TOrr^r, ^ TOfi fw TO
TOc^ 1 irf» 5^. ir^sf ctoit% fro ^ '35rt%ti,
TOHTOr^R W5r ^Ri to jrrrTTO toc^ to to ¥¥^ i
Mr. 8ATIMDRA NATH SEN: Mr. Speaker, Sir, fffiri cwTO TO INf
ra c’j ^) ^5!! TO •!! I (Mv* *Tff«!m cTO
^Trt^fTfsf. mi, FT^’Ci, cron, oti totot rntr;? mrofr toi nw wnwm
c?05 43 ^ or or wr-to -£rrf fhrt^ ^ ’for 4¥^) 'W wto>3 w i !fCTO
frftOT 4^ capacity or 3Tr3 patwen^T trax'el i First olawi fw
Inter class Third classa, tfriT^ffi^ fixed TOi f^i 4t cn statuUry
limitation tfr^Pf ffci, TOn: 'TORI or<n3 'itt or ▼'fi TOi TO in ; TO wot Cfft
paasonger OTTO CFfTOi rtr ; w«f5. cir1?i wRf^ fWCTO, or |)asaengerOT TOnn
^mPi TOTS 3 f 3 TO t 4?: irt^i 4irn cu ctoc 3 or^f*! TO c^iK^ cro
<fTWr3 'ttcn III I 4WJn 3TOT TOTl ^1 ff 1 3! PIT *n i 43 PW Cf Of
wniTO ^^TOOT =frnn to iti. toto* m^TO ^r^rti tow jti , acs towi tow *n ;
CTO^ r-fTOTR S’R orrspfl , cwS c^rrs in ot toci pfspi to ;?i i c^ttm pffir
TO TOW cw rrr 3 n fw^ (RIT'I «f''f cwiwt yj TO’ ffor 4 ? ctot^ wftR i
orcTO'R or ’TrwTi V'j wfi n’w^^r' i orcw^i wot ot wri rtr male passengemcff
rR'TO wmi I c»tTOiT wofcwo ^C3>f irc^T 5 Tot or ^M'f'j, CP CP wpir-t rp -jn TOn
^wcoT'H p^wcwiri wtPR prffcpp WPOS w-jcTO or, cner^ ir-r p Ttocp pcwU
wTo'S^r TO^, Tif*! 4 rwPCP CP»r OP CP, TOrfPW 4t CP overcrowding swetf, 4 CTO ^n
pp; !|T 3 TW f^tTOT or fixed stalutary capacity wres; TO TOcP ewfp rucommodation
OR in TO ; 4 p: ^ 3 Tcw fPfwir cwto wcw wcw cw capacity cn^ classap 'jtrs or entitled,
(TT^ prc3 'WR 3R CTO PRTl I 4P: TO TOOT CWTP PtOT WPJ OTP Wvn PTfTl Wit TO I
TOTO *1tPPRR PRTI PI 31 ^R1 ^WCTO*t WTCPP I TOPtPtf TOP tfCTOTP TO, 'PCW
051 wRTO ’Tt^m TO PI, OTR wnr'>n to Pfr, tototi wtp^n to pi i top Pt^ii
TO OTOl TO CP 600 CPTW Pt3^ TOPTTO PfOT, CP^ P^P' WPfP I WTOT PTPTt3 cTO fWP I
Pt^ iTOT pa««cnger»OT wpt f^TOT prm toTO PTcw i cpTOp TOpf cpTOp 600^^00
paaaengera wtcf ; wirTO cTOfCP fw ^ wttori w^to TOrc3 WOT, wto »# ftp paanengera
CPCW Pts TO pp C5CP CPi’t I TO Finit class, Second class passengerpCTO PTPTl
fw fWP 31 WTWPRI pTO wot I 4?i WOT unjustifiable, wm wff pit PtnWP 4 flfpi
fpRTO WCl CTOOT I W f TO t TO PITO WRTO WP) CP PTPWI 4P: cPCItTO CP fW?1P WTO W
WHl Wfp CPfrcW f%fp «tf OOT I TO CP 43 TO3 4P PWP Pt9 PiPW WfTO,
cyclone wtro 3PP TO risk Pfcf wcP Pt^ MP mpiRTOw 3i iRi ffCWK> #TO
WOTI CP cwof Pt W<I StSro or«fi Pf ; 3TO 3OT higher claMW TO05 CfW
TO PI I TO Wcw steamer TOffron 4W$ pttop cwt*ifltf swrolPii wttf i TOt3 Ofcwft ftp
wtl PTOffW TO pfirttw CWWtCW TOW PftP CtfW! fTO TOP TO PtCTOU fifi ownafis, wu fWkw,
TOITO CPtICT ftw TO iWTOl cTOT WTO. PWflWW l TO f%| 1^, W1^ CPit ftCW PI
23
352
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[27th Sept.
^ »ttci m csh I ^ ?to, ^ i ’wr
^ ^ ; «fWnr ^ TOTOR CT, ^ ^ ^
ujfc^-sf ^ ^ wfk (^ steamer service nationalised
VC? I c? *ttr® ^1 ?i inr c? c? »PRr grievances c? ?? redressed vc^ ?lt
vcrRriR ^PfT’i, 4^^ !it‘t'?i I 4^ ?c«T cut motion 'Vff? •
The Hofl’ble Mn 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I may
tell my friends Mr. Satindra Natli Sen and Mr. Ganendra Chandra Bhatta-
charjee that 1 have got personal experience of the inconveniences felt by
passengers because I had the good fortune to travel third class both by
rail and by steamer from 1J124 when I was a non-co-operator. (Dr. Pkotap
Chandra Guha Hoy: until recently!) No, not recently — long before. I
know all their difficulties. On assumption of office, I found that corre-
spondence was going on between the India and the Bengal Governments and
nobody could come to a decision. The India Government was trying to
control steamer companies. But nothing happened. Recently, to cut the
Gordian knot, I have asked for preparation of a Bill to control the activities
of steamer companies and very soon that Bill will come up before the Cabinet
and after it passes through the Cabinet it will come to the House. As I
have already said I know the inconveniences felt by passengers in steamers
about whicn my friends liave spoken. I quite realise that this is a very
f )od field for exploitation by the I.-G. & R.S.N. Companies. Beyond that
need not say anything more. I propose to convene a conference of the
representatives of steamer companies and of the publii* and of labour.
Already there has htnui representation to me on behalf of labour and steamer
companies.
Dr. PROTAP CHANDRA CUHA ROY: A\ ill you call also the
representatives of j)a8sengerH.''
The Hon’hle Mr. 8HAM8UDDIN AHMED: I have called the
representatives of the public. Sir, Ports and Pilotage is rather a misnomer.
Henceforward this Ports and Pilotage affair will (‘ome under the head
“Transport”, Home Department. To make the matter short, at the present
moment, the cost incurred is for the maintenance of the Ports of Calcutta
and Cihttagong and for repairing work at Narainganj, etc. The whole
thing is, as 1 Inive said already, a misnomer and Government thought of
putting it under some other head because the Port of Calcutta was ileclared
a major Port in 11124 and the (^hittagong Port was declared a major Port
in 1928 and both the Ports are under the control of the Central Government.
The Provincial Government has nothing to do with them at the present
moment. It only looks after the admini8trati<m of these Ports. Now, Sir,
the demand of Rs. 5,42,0(11) under the major head “Ports and Pilotage”
represents only the following items. 1 shall mention them in passing: —
Rs.
Charges for pooled launches ... ... 5,14,800
Ports Establishment ... ... ... 15,400
Subsidies to Steam Boat companies ... ... 4,800
Miscellaneous ... ... ... 1,800
Charges in England ... ... ... 4,800
For rounding ... ... ... 340
Besides the above there are al8(f charges for pooled launches Rs. 15,100 and
a charged provision of Rs. 97,000.
Sir, I have nothing further to add. I hope this Government — ^whether
you muigu it or not — will take up the subject very quickly and I am trying
to do aonie justice. After the Bill comes before the House, you will have
enough scope for amendment. 1 take note of the grievances mentioned
1946.]
demand fub grants.
m
ty my iriends and 1 can assure the House that Government will try to
wmedy them. 1 hope tliat luy friends of the Opposition will pass the
demand.
The iiujtion of Mr. Satindra Nath Sen that the demand of Ks. 5,42, (KK)
for expenditure under the head ‘‘Ports and Pilotajre" be reduced by Hs. 100,
was then put and lost.
The inotKMi of Mr. Ganendra ('haiidra Hliattncharjee that the demand
ot Us. 5. 42. HIM) for expenditure under the head “Ports and Pilota^re’’ he
reduced by Us. 100, was then put and best.
The nmtiou ot the Hon'ble Mr. Shumsud<lin Ahmetl that a sum of
Us. 5,42.000 Id* jufranted f(»r expenditure under the bead “Ports and
Piiotaji-e" was then put and agreed to.
as—Sciefitilfc Departments.
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZZAMUDOIN HOSAIN: Sir, on the
recommendalitoi of His Kxeellenry the Governor. 1 beg to move that a sum
ot Us. 48,000 he granteil fur expenditure under the head “50 Seientific
Dejiartmenis".
Mr. 8URE8H CHANDRA DA8 GUPTA: Sir, I heg to move that the
«lemand ot Us. 48.(M)0 for expenditure umler the lieiol “00 Seieiitifii*
Depart inenls” 1 m‘ reduced hy Us. 100. 1 move his order to raise a
discussion ahout the failure to allot any money for tlie (-nlcutta
Scieme Ass(k iatiiui, , tlie Association fur L\iltivation of Science in Imlin
ot Uowhazai,
I also beg to moNe that the di'inaml of Us. 48.IM)0 for expemliturc under
tlie h<‘a<] “dO— Scientific Departments” lie r<‘<luced hy Us. 101). I move this
in order to raise a disius.sion ahout its failure to allot any money for the
Uangi\a Sahitya Parishat of Calcutta w’ith its Library and Museum, the
Uaincsh Ilhavan.
.Mr. SjK'akcr, Sir, VtfffTbT ’'tfinr'r O Indian Asmsdation of Science Jjl? fttH
«nn Of ^ Jif f? ^ vft cf ^nJI TOfti iiifr ot wfH
S’tfViS f Dfft C?Tf I
wtfv 01 *frr$rffr® or vTfts ortn wtnf^ *tnoi vr>t wtbt vAt ^ i
^ 01 vfw »nf53T «trtnnr or^ ffs»Tr» ntftw wrw tjnt sib vvTt
<tn ^ iift vflfttr ftTWri ’ft^ vcfOf“fori ▼!»
c^stn I wtff cm om ^ i wrfv
FB vor !ff3 m f¥l
•4 vmf m Jivrf cm ^ vm m tnrf^? i j>o *rmi vic*f ftrwe^f ttTBt (mm,
3 fonr Indian OuJture4ii cm ^'TfT f|*T *n <4?^ vibt *!tfeivyTf ^Cfl cm
vtrr m mtirt m fVi vm ^ vfwft ^ 3itvi fifti ^nfvxOT 8^? fsnmt fif
^ :pn wte?) I (OT^BRT wfft m wff VI mrft vtrtct ^nr, 4tvtf m
anfro M Gf vof <1^ ft orvn or^ ^Jtrf 4fnv cvvn vi i
5C5f, CftvtTOt m®, Indian Cultivation of Science mi WfW
wfhr m cm mf*? i fw% mt fvffsR ^—July m
Iff ^rm. 4^ capital grant mtf vtot vn%ir*i
mr ’rtrv mi cm 8n mf^i 4t Science A«»ociation4fW<fl MOT m—
4 ^ 4W^ c^*bron vi i mttvi c^ cwrs in i 4^ Sfdence Aa«ociation4
m mcfst Sir C. V. Raman, Nobel Prize c*!nwp 4V; F. B, 8.
4t Science As80ctation4 flw m Mr. Krlshnan F. R. 8. fcvopti 49
Science Ae80ciatioa4 mr m mfWf mN W^FW mil WBH
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[27th Sept.,
m
^TOrr^ I ^ Science AssociationJi
?!w ^^ropT ^ ^ ^
— f%f% Science Conj^ressii Physics Section^fii? President 5^ CJf'tiR TOC^ I
C*n?1 Science Association ^ ^ C^Rc<lt5{W ^Tsn •TPTt^TPT
CJf'tf^tf^ TOOT I ‘4^* Science Association TOOT TOifSTM —
C^ ^ 60 I ^OTTO ^fepr TOTT^ ?Tn5 «ftOT ^ I OT Entrance
♦fM TO ^’*T¥OT “'t^TS TOT^ TOTTW C«frtf^ ^tOT*tt^ CTO TOTfT?J^ OT ’Tl I
^ cvn CTO TOCw c*n:^ tovhitot to ^^OT
“Suppose it is a test tube and I pour Hydrochloric acid into it” ^5tr^ TO^,
WtTro fiTO TS I Science Association 5TO <1^, TOl 9ftTOC^
ftOT, ^tn (TTTO fta TO TOOT I Science Association TO^ (TTTOJT
TO?R fro tP5l^ ^ f^TO, '4 ^* toto^ TOotR ^ rst i to
•R7 *nrTO I TOi d TO TOi CR^OT — TOi (TT^ TO ^PFi fro
TOl TO TO TO TO15 TOr^^ 1 TOR TO TOTH TOTOT TOf I
Mr. NIKUNJA BEHARI MAITI: Sir, 1 bej^ to move that the demand
of Us. 48,000 under the head “»‘J(> — Scientific Departments” he reduced by
Us. 100. 1 move this in order to raise a discuHsion about the insufficient
amount ot j^rants to the Royal Asiatic Society, Art Gallery and Art Section
of the Indian Museum and other scKueties and the want ot a planned policy
to eneourujfe establishment and growth ot more scientiffi* societies and
institutes.
>r3t*ff^ ?TOV, TO^ ’tit ^TOf CTOtWr^f^’? CTTI’R TO" 06 — fTOR’WfR
^ROT «R7 (R 8V TOTf ^fTO ^It CTOOT TOP?R 4%! TOkR ’rf’rfTTS 4^* TOtSR
TO-st'^ TOl r^*5f '6 TOrif^4^; TOTRT nfriTlRnR^ TOT 1?!^ TO
TOT 4^1; tots ?er ^rfsTf^ 'G •yPtTR 'S RQTO TOT
irffTOTOR ^Itt^ TOTC^TI RtC^lOTR TOT 500s I
4rnfll ’ItCtn ( Royal Asiatic Society ) TOT ^.>,xbO\ ^i »nn
TOStTl TO’IOT TOI hnSTM Q TOTSTOR TOI ly,OOC\ ^ TOt^ TOT 50,fta5x^m
fm ?mi^ I 4^ c-fiRWrff R<tT '«r^>RR TOf^ toh ^,800s ^Ri, m tort? tot 8,5:s5^
In^l, ftrvfsn TOT 0.600s ^ 4r^ TO?? TO TO? TOT 060s I
TO^?? ?i TOI f^t ^ TOOT? 4?*v TO^ 4f5nn nf<t? ?f?f^ ▼rtr
I5tl TOT C? ^ <nn TOTf C? ^ TO I 4^ ?TO TO TOOT WT??
WTRF I T5?tt 4OT C?<1 TO TORI C?W TOfR ^FOT «Rot TO* 4TO TOtT? I
4^ TO» '■r^ir? toi f% to ^ »rf^ tff^stnsi
TOR wm RlTOt OT C? TO15' VtfTO fTO%TO I 4^ TOIT R^-
«11R TOI *R1 fCTO ^ ?,800\ ^T¥l TO'R Itr? ?ni ^TRl. TOROT R?T 060\
iTfl ; TO'K TO 00s ^ TOTORrf?TORl?l 4^TOfetR1 TO9
I
41 IRf RR 4Rd tfRR TO^ I TO^Sli RtItTOf iROTi I TOJtl *j3fTO7Rl
•IWR Rf OTi Rfitl RROT ^ fro ^RflRS TO I ^JRlT t flH C R TOl
Rrtr RRTO TO, ArrnyOT. Navycs, Air Force4 !tOT Rirs TO I RR ilTOTt.
RtClfirfR, TOtOT Ambaasfdor Rdlrs TTl 41 n oR RIR Ofl RTO Rdi
m R#R RTO TO I TO CfTlf TOI'CITRi TO fTOCl 4t TO ftn RIW fR| TO TO
m TO RfCl TOTO wm tori to tori 4 RTO ^ cro R fiTOH R^pfor
Rd RWH CTO R OT TO R R1 Rd W CRi RfTO fPfl R1 C?l TOCR RRH fRffCl TOCU I
TOR TO TO'CTOlf 4TOCTOitft;TOl iffRlTO TOCR RU'cTO 4t TO
TOil dci Expert Committee TO TO tfl Rfctl «rflti fl TO CSli RIOT i
W46.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS. m
TOMfe ^ ^ on TiCTi I ci(ti TOf i<t — wn, fpirt
ifdl »fW'¥7 CfWff, C^Nt? ^ Wl JfTlinT? ^ fro ’tCWl Stat« CW fW
I ^t’RW 4?“ *r*nr#, ^j!f*ti c^ir ?? ^ cvt^ Government csn
if^ fcr TOi ftiRti cff! »[? •ttwi iw
C33R <?r Jifri «fmr i
m ^<n I c^ ^ m^^sm mm TOm m tfw ^ *n,
’f?c^ ’TT^t® I ^ ^R7 c^ m I c^ ffRrt^ wfwTtn ’rcwj
^ ^firj I
The Hon’ble Mr. 8AIYED MUAZIAMUDDIN H08AIN: Sir,
I quite realise the inadequacy ni the allotments made un<ler this head.
1 do not know whether the claim.s preferred on behalf of certain inslitutiona
are (jUite rea.sonable or not, but I must sav at tlie ver\ outset that the allot-
ment under this head has been very small. I must at ihe same time point
out to the House that in previous \eais the allotment use<l to be as
follows : —
In lb4d-44 onl> Hs. dll.IMKI; m l!t44-4o onl\ Us, .‘t(),(l(KI; last yiuir it was
Us. 4*..\n0b, ami till" >ear a piovi.^ion rd Us 48,tKI() has b(‘en imnie under
tliis head. So t«he allotment has been increased to the e.xtent of Us. tb(KK)
and It has been allotted, as already inentiomMl in tin* \arious lijrures, U)
very deserving; associations like the Uo\al Asiatic Society Us. the
Uaremlra Uesearcb Society — Us. ‘J.4<Mb tin* Dacia Musmim- Us. 4.HM, the
Darjeeliiip Mu.seuin — IN d.tKHI and the Malda Museum -Us dtit). I iinly
wish (hat (he (jovernment I'ould tind more money lor this ver> important
department. W ith the advam'einent of science 1 think ^Madiially wi* muitt
uicr<*ase \ei\ inneh our allotment umler this pailn ulai head. If the country
is to indu"triali,se itselt, \\v must help the scientific departments to g-row
^nailualK and to render assist. im-e to the country towards industriuliHaf ion.
I have lull sympathy with tlie iiiovei ot the motion, and I would point out
that yye ha\e done yvliat we <(iuld with the money (hat has been placed at
our disposal. W'l* have allottiMl Us. (I.IMMJ more ihi.s year and tliai is all
we could. Uut, as I have alrt*ady sanl. in trauiinjtf tins budjret also wn* had
very little hand: it is practically a .sintioii !ld loidjict. I have taken a noUi
of the enticisms of the (tppositinu and in future yeais 1 liope I shall be able
to allot sutfieient money under (his particular head which is a very important
subject.
W ith the.se words, Sir, 1 commend my imdion to the acceptance of tlie
House.
The motimi of Mr. Suresh ( handra Das tJupta that the demand of
Rs. 48,(KH} tor expenditure umler the hea<l “.'k» -Scientific DepartrneutH” be
reduced by H.s. 10(1, was then j)Ut and lost.
The motion of Mr. Suresh Chandra Das (iiipta that tW demand of
Rs. 48dHM} for expenditure under the head “dO~~Scientific DepartmentH” be
reduced by Rs. 100, was then put and lost.
The motion of Mr. Nikunja Behari Muiti that ihe demand of Rh. 48, (KK)
for expenditure under the head "*10 — Seientific Departments” he reduced
by Rs. 100, was then put and lo.st.
The motion of the Hon’hle Mr. .Saiyed Muazzamuddin Hosain tliaf u sum
of Rs. 48,000 be granted for expenditure under the head “30 — Scientific
Departments”, w'as then put and agree*! to.
oo-SrPERAXNl ATION ALLOWANCES AND PENSIONS,
COMMUTATIONS OF PENSIONS FINANCED FROM ORDL
NARY REVENrES, AND 83— PAYMENT OF COMMUTED
VALUE OF PENSIONS NOT CHARGED TO REVENUE.
S66
DEMAND FOR GRANTS.
[27th Sept.,
Tlw Hon’bic Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on ihe recommendation of
Hi** Jbtcellency the Governor I beg to move that a sum of Rs. 96,82,800 be
granted for expenditure under the heads ^‘55 — Superannuation allowances
and pensions”, ”55A — Commutations of pensions financed from ordinary
revenues” and ”83 — Payment of commuted value of pensions”.^
Mr. BEPIN BEHARI GANGULI: Sir, I l)eg to move that the demand
of Rs. 96,82,800 for expenditure under the heads ”55 — Superannuation
allowances and pensions”, ”55A — Commutations of pensions financed from
ordinary revenues” and ”83 — Payment of commuted value of pensions” be
reducett hy Rs. 100. I move this in order to raise a discussion about the
nature of the iktsous to whom pensions for distinguished and meritorious
services are given.
Mr. Speaker Sir, crrli a wm cv in
^ w cw Rnr motion Ror ^ ?r?lvnnr ^ <4%^
Ftdi I df ’virw ^ 57 ,
wtft ^ wwr ^ ^ TOT
TO I cv, Hi ceremony ; Rrlv <rirr^ c?U5 ?¥ 1
Ri CH ITT? ^ ch <rf, Rr%-
W TO m Rn t|TOw ^ I TO?n wtR R^
<nt RR?^ to® to' 1 (TT^v^n toh to r® ch icfi
m d»n ofTO ^*0 ww CH JTJffwroi ch Rni to
ifl^TOnr to ^ to ^1 TOtTO'i^
TOt:«rw w»n tfm^R 1 m to h\h] toc'T? toh t:?
R*X C9f^. i’Wd! C?t^, ^ Off — ^TOTiT «RT JlR TO TOr ^ TOR, ^StTOT
•rfwtTO 'sPr TOTif vcv tot i Howard PhiUiiithropi.stii?^ ^'H\ —
^5tf philanthropy % I f%R cTOTf tot^TO toi ▼nrro
CH CH CTO CTO HI CHR, CH^TO RjR ![TO TO dH#!®
vcTOHi toto fro wwn TO hh^ to !fin Rr® ’trR— ® tr? to i)en8ion
TOfl TO I m TOTO1 TO® CHRcTO— TO! JJHH W5TWH TOtCHH 'H®TTm, CH WHiH
fk\ CTO, imHtH CTO, HI <I^IH CH\W—CH W®ni^ ®tRff TO R ® Trgt Cff ^ Rtoi
TOf HPn ®fTO TO |>enHionilf TOIl TO I CTOCH
CTO VrTv'Sf® TOH, HiH® TOH vttTO HI I HTRhTS S’TO '»tf^ TO CTO
wHZfH, ®tm Rf RTO (TOi finn TO *f?TO 1 TO ’^rcvcii cro to:^, to toto ▼toh
H hn social reform toojh, TO HH vrfvTO'? to RtHtm ctot TOi *ff¥TfJ
c®hR TOi TOFfH— jjh; Toth to rh'^Rbt tou to SR®, htc® ®nn ch4 >.
Rh dc® Ht¥r® dClH -ilHs CTO dll to ®ffl ITC® ®R®tn iftlHltn toc® *to to to®
®tCll miserable existence drag TOT® Hi H, ®tH®ld fftlHTOffl R^fl WIC®
•TO, TO HFtw *rcw TO fiTOi I TO Ri cin TOR TOTO cut motion
itlRl «J|R¥RnH®<n^^Cl^ grant TOTOH, tor TO dl, CH^ d® TOTOtti
Ths Hdll’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is the policy
of the Government to grant e^-ffratia pensions to distinguished scholars and
literateurs if they hapjien to live in straitened and poor circumstances. I
know it, because after our assumption of office one such case came up to us and
we had to grant a small pensicji^i to a very distinguished but poor author and
I am in agreement with what the honourable member has said with regard
to the policy of granting pensions or some other kind of allowances to
distinguished men of this province who have rendered public and distin-
guished service in the direction of literary or scientific advancement of the
country. We have every sympathy with that proposal and we do grant
pensions to such men. dut one thing should he Dome in mind that for the
grant of such a 'pension the recipient must be in poor circumstances.
1946.] DEMAND FOR GRANTS. S87
With these words, Sir, I oppose the cut motion and press my motion for
acceptance.
The motion of Mr. Bepin Behari Gaiifruli that the demand of Rt*. 90,82.800
for expenditure under the heads “55 — Superannuation allowances and
pensions”, “55A — Commutations of pensions financed from ordinary
revenues” and “83 — Payment of commuted value of pensions” l>e reduced
by Rs. 100 was then put and lost.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali that a sum of
Rs. 96,82,800 be j^^ranted for expenditure under the heads “55 — Superan-
nuation allowances and pen.sions”. “55 A — Ounmiitations of Pensions
financed from ordinary revenues”, and “83 — Payment of commuted value
of pensions not charjfed to revenue”, was then put and a^rreed to.
9-~8Um|is.
The HoiPble Mr. MOHAMMED ALi: Sir, on the recommemlaiion of
His Excellency the Governor 1 bejr to m(»ve that a sum of Rs. 7,13,(K)0 be
granted for expenditure under the head “9 — Stumps”.
Mr. RADHANATH DAS: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the
demand of Its. 7.13.000 for expenditure under the head “9- Stamp.s” be
rediieed by Its. 100. 1 move thi.s in order to raise a diseussion about the
corrupt j)rarti('t‘s i»f the .•'tamp-vemlors of the courts of Bengal and in parti-
cular those of the coiirts of Calcutta and the Alipore courts.
The object of m\ cut motion is clearly umlerstood from the cut motion
itself. The sami* .sfirt of cut motion had heen raised by me iu the last
budget discussion when the demand for grant was put forward by the
ex-Mini^ter floiiTih* Mr. Tarak Nath Mukerjea. now Mr. Tarak Nath
Mukerjea, a member ot the I pper lloU'*e.
'i’he corruption and illegal giatifications wen* admitted hy another — the
then honourable member ot the Hou.se, Klian Bahadur Haji Bufli Ahmed
Choudhur>. His argument in tavour of the e(Mrupt practices were to some
extent true. He said that the vendors eould not but take to corrupt pnictices
only because the rate.s of coininission given to them were lower in comparison
to the all-round rise in prices of foodstuffs and other nece.s.sury articles.
Tbe\ liave got to live and maintain theii familie.s and how can tliey do so if
they cannot earn something more than what they fonm*rly used to do by
selling stamps.
It is quite well known to the litigant public tliat they have got to
purchase stamps at a premium to the rate of one or two annas per rupee.
I w^ant to draw the attention of Government ome more to eradicate this
grievance of the public who go to file legal proceedings before the court
and who require their deeds and documents to he registered.
The Hon’ble Minister last year stated that these corrupt practices could
be tackled and put an end to if the public whole-lunirtedly co-operated wdth
and helped the Government. I cannot understand how and in what way
the public can help the (iovernment. The public can only bmig these sorts
of allegations to tne notice of the authorities concerned. The pleaders and
other law^vers can do so. But there is a danger on the part of the pleaders
and lawyers and other litigants who have got to go very often to courts
for redressing their grievances. If they do so and complain, their cases
will very much su^er and as such, they will prefer purchasing stamns at a
premium to complaining about that. Moreover, if any such complaint be
made, it would be difficult on their part to prove it to some extent.
So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, what I suggest is this that Government of their
own accord must, to some extent, take to putting a stop to this sort of corrupt
practices. And I suggest also that by raising the rates of commission
availaWe to tb# stamp- vendors, the Government will be able to remove this
illegal and corrupt practice to a considerable extent.
358
DEMAND FOE GEANTS.
[27th Sept.,
Sir, Government are making an income from this item to the extent of
Rg, .'I crores and 40 lakliH this year and the governmental expenditure on
this item is about Es. 7 lakhs and 13 thousand only. So, Government should
give some more profit to the stamp-vendors. Government are giving
dearness allowance to their ' staff and are also increasing the pay of the
people who are having poorer salaries. So, it should be the duty on the
part of the Government to look into the grievances of the stamp-vendors
and thereby remove the blackmarketing in the selling of stamps.
Sir, to one more thing I want to draw the attention of the Government
and that is this. I cannot but mention here in passing that some amount
of money has been exacted by the Government from us, the members of this
House and the lJpj)er House during the time when we had had to file
returns of election expenses after the last election. It was stated that
adhesive non-judicial stamps to the amount of Ks. 4 had got to be made use
of, but later on a dispute arose over the matter and as a result we had,
practically all of us, to use non-adhesive non-judicial stamps again to the
amount of lbs. 4. I reipiest, Sir, that this sort of anomaly and irregularity
must ])e eradicated and put right.
Mr. ABDUL KARIM (Parliamentary Secretary on behalf of Hon*ble
Mr. Muhammad Ali): Mr. Speaker, Sir, with your permission I lieg to
reply to the debate. It is tlie object <»f Government to provide every facility
for the supply of stamps to the public. According to the standing rules,
the treasurer at the headquarters of a district and at subdivisions tl^e sub-
ordinate officer entrusted with the custody and sale of stamps on behalf of
Government work as i\r-ojj\vio vendors and sell slumps to the public on
application, llesides, the District Officer is authorised to issue licenses to
private persons for the sale of stamps to meet local demand. Every licensed
vendor is required to keep a proper steak of stamp> whicli he is authorised
to sell. If lie fails to do s(>, his license is liable to 1 h‘ caneelled. When
TM*rsons cannot lie fouml willing to undertake the sale ot stamps in any
locality in which the establishment of a vendor seems desirable, the rules
provide for the appointment of some person in the luihlie serviee as stamp-
vendor on a small salary in addition to the usual rate of discount allowed to
licensed vendors. The rules further provide that in outlying localities
wheix* otlierwise stamps might not always he easily available, licenses for
the sale of stamps of every description sliould be granted to any respectable
and reasonably substantial i^erson of the k>cality recommended by the Iwal
officer. It will thus upiiear that 8uffi(‘ient provision has been made in the
rules, and discTctiou left with the District Ufiicer, so that stamps may be
readily a\'ailable t(» the public even in small towns and villages. Govern-
ment have also received no eoinplaiut almut non-avuilahility of stamps in
any locality.
Government have already had under con>ideration the question of
increasing the rates of commission fees to stamp-vendors in the light of
present day conditions. Heports from District Gtficers about extra cost
involved were culled for, some of which are being awaited at present.
Regarding the point that my friend has suggested about adhesive stamps,
I might say that due to war conditions during last election time stamps
could not l>e sent to mofussal areas. In future (jovemment will consider
that no such difficulties arise.
With these words I commend the motion to the acceptance of the House.
The motion of Mr. Eadhanath Das that the demand of Rs. 7,13,000 for
expenditure under the head — Stamps*' be reduced by Rs. 100 was then
put and lost.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Mohammed Ali that a sum of
R«. 7,13,000 for expenditure under the head *‘9— Stamps’* was then put and
demakd for grants. sn
66— stationery and Printing and Dapraeiation Raatna Pimd— OoaanimiMt
Presses.
Tho Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the reeommenchition of
His Excellency the (jovernor 1 hep to move that a sum of Us. 41,7H*(H)0 be
granted for expenditure undt^r the head “oti—Statioiierv and Printing and
Depreciation Ueserve Fund —(Government IVes.ses”.
The motion wa.s then put and agreed to.
Deposits and advanoes.
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir. on the recommendation of
His Ex(‘ellencv the (T(»vernor I heg to move that a sum of R«. 30,‘28,(KH) be
granted tor expenditure umlei the heinl “Interest Free Advance?**’.
The motion was then put and agreeil to.
Loans and advances.
The Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, on the recommendation of
His Kxicllencx tht‘ (Jovernor. I hog to move that a Mini of Hh. l.oiJ.Wi.tKKI
he granted tor expeinliture umler tin* la‘a<l “Loan** and advances hearing
interest".
The motion was then ]»ut and agreeil to.
Message.
Secretary then read the fidlowing message received from the Bengal
Legivslative (’oiincil: —
“That the conenrietice «it tin* Bengal la*gislative Assemhiy he asked to
the Murshidahad Bill, UMti. a*, passeil h\ the Bengal liegislative
( ouiicil, at Its meeting held on the ‘2drd September,
Short Notioe Covammont Bills.
The Hon’ble Mr. SAIYED MUAZZAMUDDIN H08AIN: With your
permission. Sir, I heg to give short iiotiee of the ahovo Bill whieh will he
taken up in the House tomorrow, for <*oiisideration.
(Cries of “Where i> the Bill?'’ from Congress Benclies.)
Mr. SPEAKER : 1 understand that the (Opposition agn^ed to thi«
procedure.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Without receiving the Bill
how can it he considered. Sir:^
Mr. SPEAKER: You can have it just now. It is here. (Copies of the
Bill were distributed to members.)
The Hon’bla Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir, I want to give short notice
of the Calcutta Disturbances Commissifun of Enquiry Bill, UWO. The Bill
will be taken up for consideration and pas.sing tomorrow. It has been pass-
ed by the Upper House and the concurrence of this House is sought*
Mr. SPEAKER: Then i.H no other business today.
Adjoununaiit
The House was tben^joumed at 4-15 p.m. till 10 a.m. on Saturday,
the 28th September, 1946, a) tbe Assembly House, Calcutta.
860
[28th Sipt.,
Proceeding! of the Bengal Legulative Anembb' aewmbled under
the proviiioni of the Government of India Act» 1935.
Tius Assembly met in the Assembly House, Calcutta, on Saturday, the
28th September, 1946, at 10 a.m.
Present:
Mr. Speaker (the Hon'ble Mr. Nurul Amin) in the Chair, 7 Hon’ble
Ministers and 188 members.
Obituary.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER. Ladies and gentlemen. It is my painful
duty, before we begin the proceedings of the House, to convey a sad news
to you — the news of the death of Justice Sir Nasiin Ali, lately the acting
Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. We meet this morning under
the shadow of a great calamity 1 might call it. It is my proud privilege
to announce before the House that 1 had been associated with Sir Nasim
Ali as his article clerk for full Iwo years when he was at the Bar, as I had
the opportunities of knowing Sir Xusim Ah as a man, as a lawyer, and
also as a Judge of the Calcutta High (-ouit. It is not necessary for me to
reiterate on the floor of this House that Sii Na.sim Ali lived up to the
greatest tradition of an honest lawyer, an honest man, and an honest
Judge. His ability was unquestionabh*, and he possessed some great
virtues in such abundant measure that such virtues will certainly be an
ideal before those who have been left hehind. It is realiy not jiossible tor
me to exju’ess my thouglits on this occasion. 1 can do no better than ask
you to rise in your seats to signify your assent in sending a message of
condolence to tlie bereaved family.
(Members rose in their seats.)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. The Secretary will do the needful.
STARRED QUESTIONS
(to which oral aiuwert were ghren)
^ Flood in Feni subdivision.
*63. Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURY: Will
the Hon’ble Minister in cliarge of the Department of Irrigation be pleased
to state —
(o) whether Feni subdivision has been flooded this year;
(b) how many villages and how many people have been affected and
what is the amount of damage;
(c) whether major portion of Feni ^especially police-stetions Parshuram
and Chhagaluaiya) is flooded every year by rivers Muhuri and
Chhilaniya ;
(d) whether steM have been taken for relief of the flood-stricken people
of Feni this year;
(e) the causes of Jood whi^h visits Feni every year; and
(/) whether Government have any scheme for the removal of these
causes ?
MINISTER in ohms of tlif DEPARTMENT of IRRIGATION (tile
Hon’bit Mr. A. F. M. Abdur Rahman): (a) Yes, the area covered by
police-station Parshuram, police-station Chhagaluaiya and about balf of
police-station Feni has been flooded this year.
1946.] QUESTIONS. 8«1
(h) Two hundred and five rilla^a and about 50,000 people have be*®
affected.
Cropff of about 20,000 acres of laud have been damaged.
(c) No.
(d) Yes; in the form of (i) jriatuitoiis ndief, (u) cheap grains, (ii%) agri-
cultural loan, (tr) house-buildin^^ grant.s, (r) free distribution of clotiis,
blankets, garments, medicine.s, milk, \itamin 8 , water-piirifj^''ing tablets, etc.,
(vi) distribution of paddy seed'^ at conrosioual rates and (ri») cash allotmenta
for test works.
(e) The cau.se of flood when it otnurs is gimerallv heavy I'aiufall in the
upiier catchment of the Muhuri and the ("hhiluniya which are hill streams.
if) Investigations are In'ing made with a view' to drawing up tt scheme
for relieving flooding in the Mnhuri Isisin.
Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: With reference
to answer (r). will the Ilon'hle Mini'iter be pleased to state w'hat is the
source of his information?
The Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: My source of informa-
tion is tlie officers of the Irrigation Department.
Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Tlouhle
Minister he pleased to state whether he is aware that this year the amount
of loss suffered h> tlu' jieople has Imhmi something about one crore of rupee#?
The Hofl’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: I have given the
estimates of the lo^^s in aiiswei (//>.
Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY; Will tin- Hon’ble
MiuistiT hi' |(l.-usvd 1(1 stdtv when tlii' will ii)pl«'ti-d aud
the actual work will begin?
The Hon’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: Actual observation ha§
been made and a contour survey of the floor areas will be required to be
made. After this has been completed and I have culled for estimates, the
actual work W'ill Ix^gin.
Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the llon’ble
Minister be pleased to state whether he is aware* tliat the flciods this year
carried sand wdth the result that lands in the two jiol ice-stations have lost
fertility?
The Hon’blo Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: It may be.
Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Honble
Minister be pleased to state what remedv tiovernnient c'onteinplate to give
in connection with .sand and the loss of fertility?
Tho Hon’blo Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: After observation and
contour survey are complete we will take up the work.
Mr. MOHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHAUDHURY: Will the Hon’ble
Minister be pleased to state whether he is aware that there is a lake in
Tipiiera State, named Pillak, and water comes from that lake, and the
nnwic feel that this Government should lake up this matter with Tipiiera
State ior remedy?
Til# Hon’bto Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: I shall give due consi-
deration to the suggestion of the honourable member.
Mr. OANENDRA CHANDRA BHATTAGHARJEE: Will the Hon’ble
Minister he pleased to slate if he is aware that contour surv'cy is being
made from 1^?
m QUESTIONS. [ 28 th Sept.,
Th0 Hofl’bit Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: So far as my informa-
tion goes, contour survey has not yei been taken up.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHiKARI: Will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state if Govern iiient have any .scheme devised for prevention
of flood in different parts of Bengal?
The Hoil’ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDUR RAHMAN: Yes, Government have
in contemplation certain schemes for the prevention of flood in different
districts.
Mr. AMULYA CHANDRA ADHIKARI: Is there any definite scheme
in their contemplation?
The HOfl'ble Mr. A. F. M. ABDURRAHMAN: I have given my
answer in (f),
Disorimiluition of pay in respect of temporary and permanent
Government servants.
*64. Mr. 8ERAJUDDIN AHMED: Will the non’ble Minister in charge
of the Chief Minister’s (Establishments) DejKirtment be pleased to state —
{a) the reason in the matter of diMcriiniiiation of pay between the tempo-
rary and j>ennanent Government servants; and
(b) whether Government contemplates to increase the pay of low' jwid
peimanont servants of Government in consideration of the 400 i)er
cent, increase of the cost of living?
Mr. 8. A. 8ALIM (on bohalf of the Hon'ble Mr. H. 8. 8uhrawardy):
(a) In accordance with the Bengal Services (Pu^ of Ttmiporary INhIh)
Kules, 19-it), temporary posts w’ere formerly created on fixed )jays ecpml to
the minima of the scales prescribed for the corrt‘spoiiding permanent posts.
It has been recently decided that with effect from the Jst January. 1040,
temporary posts also will be on time-scales of pav. At present, therefore,
no discnmination exists between teinj»orary ami jnernianent (iovernment
servants in resju'ct of their salaries.
(6) A conij>rehensive enfjuiry into all j)ay Hcale.s has lx‘eu undertaken with
u view to standardizing, rationalizing and revising them. Pending the com-
pletion of this enquiry Government have sanctioned an ad ttUerim increase
in the liasic i>ay of their low jHiid employees, the details of w'hich may be
seen from the (Jiief Minister’s Depurlinent Memorandum No. 1474-B8tbt8.,
dated the 6th May, 1946, a copy of which is laid on the Library Table.
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: Will the Hon’ble Minister
be pleased to state whether temporary staff' will be absorbed in the perma-
nent port*?
Mr. I. A. SALIM: It is very difficult for me to say, but I can say this
much that the matter is under the consideration of the Government.
Mr. ABU TAIYAB MAZHARUL HAQUE: Has the Government
formulated any policy regarding temporary service?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: It is being examined.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Will the Hon’ble Minister be pleased
to state as to where the basic striary of the lowest-paid Government servants
stands after the addition of tiiis interim increment?
Mr. 8 . A. SALIM: I would like the honourable member to look into
the memorandum put on the Library Table.
Mr. DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Sir, my question is, what was the
basic pay of this staff before the addition of this increment?
1946.]
grESTioNS.
3«S
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: 1 want notice,
Mr, DEBENDRA NATH SEN: Will the Hoirhle Minister be pleasad
to state whether it is a fact that only an increment of R.s. ?! has been satict*
tioued for the employees drawing up to Its. jM*r month
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: 1 want notice. I ran not jjlve an answer offhand.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE. Will the Jlon’hle Minister be pleased
to state what in his opinion has l»een the increase either in the cost of
livin^^ index or in tlie price index since the pie-war tiineJ^
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: It is very difficult for me to pive an answer
ofifhand.
^ Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Will the Hoiride Minister be pleased
to state what is the rate ot increase since lIKtJt on the basic salaries K
Mr. S. A. SALIM: 1 think the scale varies for different services.
Mr. BIMAL COMAR CHOSE: Is the llon'hle Minister aware that the
rise in pi ices has heeii lot) per cent.?
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: That may he so.
Riipresefitation by Assistants of Registration Diractorata.
*65. Mr. FAKIR ABDUL MANNAN: lo) Will (he llon'ble Minister
in charge ot the dudiual Deparliiient be pleaneil to stall* whether any rejire-
.J^riitatioii lui't been iiiude to the (Joveniineiit l)\ the A8si>lunts of the
liegistiatioii Directorate lor upj>oin(ing (he i’ersoiml Assistant to the
Jnspeetor-tieiieial ot Itegistration by pioinolion trojn the ottice staff as is
done in ni(»i oilier l)irectorale**y
Ml, wliat (li*cision has been taken in the matter by the (ioverninentJ*
Vh. Hon'ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI (on bohalf of the HonWo Mr.
Jogendra Nath Mandat): nn Yes.
(//) ( jovernment lia\e dciidcd not to throw the jmisI open to (he office
assistants of the Direi torate
Mr. MUHAMMAD HABIBULLAH CHOWDHURY: Will the
Hon’ble Minister lie pleased to state what are the reasons tor this deeisionf'
Tho Hon’ble Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: I cannot give the reasons for
the decision.
Inoramont of pay of the low-paid Covemmant employaea.
*68. Mr. ABDUS SABUR KHAN: Will the HonTdo Minister in
charge of the Chief Minister’s (Estahlishmeut) Department be pleased to
state-
(a) whether he is aware of the increase in emoluments recently granted
by the Government of India to their employees drawing pay up
to H8.250 jier month ; and
% (If) what action, if any, has been or is pro^iosed to be taken by the
Government of Ifetigal to relieve the distress of their lower-paid
employees?
Mr. S. A. SALIM (on bolialf of th$ Hon’blo Mr. H. S. Suhrawirdy):
(a) Yes.
(b) With effect from the 1st of April, 1646, Govemn^nt have allowed
^ their lower-paid employees certain aa interim increases in basic pay, tl^
details of which may bb seen from Establishment Branch Memorandnin
364
RULING ON A POINT OF ORDER. [2Bth Skpt.,
No. 1474-E9tbt8.. dated the 6th May, 1946, a copy of which is placed on
th#* Library Table. The increases sanctioned by tnis Government compare
favomably with those allowed by the Government of India.
A comprehensive examination of the scales of pay of all Government
servants has been undertaken, with a view to standardizing, rationalizing
tifid re’sising them. Owing to the fhtricacv and complexity of the subject,
llie intjuiry is not likely to Ik* (Kiiiipleted Ibefore February, 1947. Govem-
ment have however, decided that, whatever may be the period required to
rompIeU? the inquiry, the revised rates of pay resulting therefrom will take
effect from tbe Ist January, 1947.
Mf« DHIRENDRA NATH DATTAs Will the Hon’ble Minister Ite
jdeused to state if Government servants include menials, duftries, guards,
etc.P
Mr. 8. A. SALIM: Yes, Sir.
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Questions over.
Ruling on a point of order.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir,
have you decided about that (juestion which was held over tor your ruling P
Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes
On 21 st September, 1946, Mr. Niharendu Dutt-Mazumdar raised a point
of order with regard to the answer given to starred (nieHti«»n 480) by
the Hon’ble Minister in charge of Agriculturt*. Mr. l)utt-Maz\imd:n a
point is that the Ilon’hle Minister avoided to an>wei the question
llis contention further is that since it is the right or privilege of the
members to put questions t<» u Minister, it is as well their right to elicit
answers. In this case the (piestion has not been ausuert*(l.
,, indeed the jirivilege of the members to iiiteriogate the Ministers.
This institution has been described by Dr. Jennings in his book “On
Purliumeiit as a game <»f chess in which all the nnu’es are well known
and each player thinks several moves uliead and like rhess the game often
ends in a draw.
I have looked into the Assembly l*rocedure Itules and some precedents
ot this House and the Central Assembly. Rule »‘ll primn faci^ appears to
confer wide powers on the (Jiair in the matter of deciding the manner in
which questions are to be answered ; but reading it in the light of the pre-
cedents, I am of opinion that this power relates more to the form. Sir
Frederick Whyte as the President of the Central Assembly on 2nd
February, 1920, ruled on a similar point. “Questions are admitted when
they satisfy the rules and standing orders. AVhether honourable members
are able to extract replies from Government is a totally different matter in
^gurd to which 1 have no responsibility.” Another President Sir Abdur
Rahim, on 20th leliruary, 1939, held t4iat if an honourable member finds
o^n answer unsatisfactory it is up to him to find out anv remedy he can. The
Chair has no authority in the matter.
One ruling given on 10th August, 1937, by the then Speaker of the
Bengal Assembly also throws some light on the point at issue, and it was
ffiven by Sir Azizul Haque. He said, “I cannot find any rule which
iustifies me in holding that "the Speaker can compel an answer from the
Mmister”.
1 . ^ Parliamentarj' Practice also— I referred to the
4th Edition^ — and there also I could not find any answer. In this case
there is an answer to the question which in the opinion of the honourable
members is not to the point. It may be so but on a careful consideration
of the rules and the precedents I find that it is not possible tm the Chajr
1046.]
STATEMENT BY MR. «. S. ROT.
m
.^ compel an answer of another type and 1 am not concerned with whet
things ought to be, but I am re<iuired to consider matter* aa they are.
According to the rules of procedure and priH^etleuts with which I do not
find any adequate reasons to differ, 1 cannot help the honourable member.
Besides, this is not a case in which the honourable niemWr is left without
any remedy whatsoever. He (an Umk for other ixuuedies also, if he so
desires.
In these circumstances, the question of holding over does not arise.
Short-notion queotion.
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: Sir. may 1 draw the attention of
the Hon’ble the Chief Minister through you to the nolii'e of the short*
question I gave the other day and which was. 1 understand, agreed
by tile Hon’ble Chief Minister. What has hupjieued to my question?
The Honlilo Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: I am not aware of that
short-notice question. It has u(»t come t(» me from the departmeiU.
8tatiinont by Mr. Kiran Sankar Roy rogarding communal dtaturhanoaa.
Mr. KIRAN 8ANKAR ROY: Mr. Speaker, 1 seek vour permission
and indulgence of the House for making a brief statement In'fore this
House is prorogued. Members would be leaving fur their homes but they
would be going with an anxious mind and serious misgiving. A month
has elapsed and yet the reign of terror is eoutinuing in (’alcuftu. Tiio
bitterness generated in Calcutta has affected most of the districts in Kast
Bengal. The situation in Dacca and in the area round about is extremely
''^•rious. The situation in Tipi)era. in Mymensingh, in Noakhali is no
better. It seems to me that the situation has passed beyond f>oIitieal
difference and out ot the hands of luditicul leaders. It is goonduism i)ure
and sim{)l<‘. Maximum fon t* should be used to put down goonduism irres*
])eetive of the community t(» which th(\v may belong, (ioondus, (wen if
they act in tilu’ name of religion and coiiiinuiiity, Iwdong to no vommvrnty.
They are enemies of all communities.
Sir, I have no intention to re|it*at the argumcnlh which were advanced
during the debate on the motion of uo-(‘on(iaence, nor do 1 desire to raise
controversies on the lust day of the session, but I still maintain that for
some reason or other even now effective force is not being used against the
gotmdas in sjiite of repeated assurance by the llon’ble Chief Minister.
The custodians of law and order are still on the defensive. They do not
move until there is an incident. Luckily, the disCurlmiico is now alinosi
loc.alised, for instance, Burrabaxar-f/olootola-Zakaria Street area, Raja*
baxar, Park Circus, Kalabagan. (Mr. Muhamu/id Hahihum.ah Citaudhuey:
Bowbaxar.) Yes, I do not mind; I do not wuint to make a distinction. If
there is disturbance in other areas, mention them.
I should have thought the police vcould vigorously comb out the
fipxmdas of these and other notorious places. We have heard that the
hustees are full of new faces. Suspicious looking people are moving from
bvstee to hutUe^ after curfew* signals are given by invisible persons by
whistling. Various jiamphlets, |»rinted and typed, are being distributed.
One feew there is some orpinisation going 6n underground for concerted
hooliganism. I hope the Ii()n’hle Cliief Minister would direct the Criminal
Intelligence Department to enquire into thi« matter.
I have carefully read the statement which the HonTile Chief Minister
issued on the 26th September. I anpreciate the spirit in which it has
been made. I al^ join in that appeal. But the only way to restore imme-
diate confidence is for the police to act promptly and impartially. Whai
very often happen* is this. Information is sent to Lalbaxar. It taW at
least half an hour for thr police patrol to reach the spot where the incident.
m
STATEMENT BY MB. £. S. BOY.
[ 28 th Skpt.,
takes place and by that time the culprits disappear through the lanes.
The patrol goes back to Lalbazar and reports that there is no mob there.
Or the patrol arrests those who gather there to protect the victim of the
attack or any unwary passersby that may hapj>en to be there. We read
in the papers that the police made a lathi charge or used tear gas. It is
amazing — this faith in tear gas and lathi dharge in dealing with a mob of
this character. By this time it should have been clear to the meanest
intelligence that we have passed beyond the use of tear gas and latha
charge. The unusual tenderness of the police — a body not famous for
softness — for the gooiidas is a wonderful phenomenon of the riot. From
the beginning we have been pressing the Government for drastic action,
but to no effect. In the locality in which I live every night I find thihka
f^Juiries moving aixmt after the curfew hours and there is no police any-
where to stop them. In spite of section 144 one can see crowds loitering
in the streets or watching from hahkhaiui or bin shops. If these crowds
are suddenly rounded up and searched 1 have no doubt in my luiud many
will be found to be carrying daggers.
The i)uni8hments given by Magistrates have been ridiculous. Twenty
rupees fine for carrying a dagger in the streets of Calcutta is, in my opi-
nion, quite inadequate punishment in the present circumstances. I am
not requesting the Hon’ible Chief Minister to interfere with the course of
iustice, but 1 do say that the jmnishineut in all such cases should be
deterrent .
Whenever we have pressed for sufficient police force or the use of dras-
tic force the reply has been — if the Hindus and Muslims choose to light,
the Government has not sufficient force to put down the riot which is in
the nature of a civil war. This shows utter luck of appreciation of the
Hituttti<»n. It assumes wrongly that each and every member of the two
communities is t-aking part in the fight or desires this fight. I deny this
calumny. Ninety per cent, of the liindu.s and Muslims ot this province
want to live in peace. It is only the hooligans who kill, loot, create panic,
bring the life of Calcutta into standstill and spread anarchy in Bengal.
It is sheer and abject defeatism to say that the G<>vernment has not strength
to deal with this element. The resjioiisibility for suppressing hooliganism
lies with the State. The common man looks to the State to protect him.
If the Government fail to protect him while going about his pea(‘eful
avocation, then the Government has failed fur all practical purposes in
spite of the easy passage of the Budget and defeat of the no-confidence
motion.
I would like to say one or two words alxuit posting of officials. I make
no charge and make no insinuation, hut it has to be admitted that if all
the Government officers of a district from the District Magistrate to the
Thaua Officer belong to one community the other community do not feel
secure. 1 would request the llon’ble ('hief Minister to give an assurance that
the posting of officers should be so arranged and balanced that all com-
munities cun feel confident that they would get fair and impartial treat-
ment from Government officers,
I would also like to say a word about the Press. The Press has a
serious responsibility. Immoderate language, exaggeration, publication of
false news — bad enough at any time — are criminal in the present atmos-
phere. But gagginff the pres^ or blacking out of all news is no r^edy.
In the absence of all news due to censorship the people will give credence
to the wildest rumours. In our opinion the ordinary laws of the land are
sufficient. My complaint is that me Government has taken no step in this
matter, but I would seriously warn them against blacking out of all news.
One other serious danger to which I would like to refer is the possibi-
lity ol stoppage of all public conveyance includiim the railways. The
poor bus driver, tnunway conductor, taad driver, railway officers going to
and from the stations have no prot^tion. There are definite areas where
KTATEMKNT BY MR. K. S. ROY.
m.]
m
att«vk($ are takiug place. The Chief Minister has meutiuued this in hia
last appeal. There should l>e proper arranjromeut for their protection or
1 am afraid there will he a jrenerul stoppage of puldio coiiveyauce iu the
aeareat future.
The worst feature ol these iio(^> — more than looting — more than
murder even more than killing of rhildreu has been the forcible abduction
i)f a large number of women. This is a matter on which 1 do not wish to
dwell. It is even painful and humiliating to mention. But, Sir, 1 regret
to aa\ that not a single of those unfortunate women has yet been iracetl.
Due can forget much and forgive much but this is a wnmg which cannot
be forgotten. This will rankle.
We, too, who are now going to our districts have a duty to perform. It
Is a pity that In^cause of the communal electorate, we who represent the
,^eneral constituencies have no responsibility at least constitutional res-
ponsibility, to the Muslims, ami m\ Muslim friends in this House are alsii
iu the same position — so far as the Hindus are concerned. Whatever may
that be, I suggest that the Hindu uml Muslim members of each district
should jointly tour the district to stop this fratricidal war. I would
request the Government to give all facilities to these members. 1 would
also like the Hon’ble (’hief Minister to state what precautionary measures
the Government proposes to take to prevent untoward events during tlie
Pujas.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, 1 can assure the Chief Minister that we
on this side of the Hou.se are prepared to give full co-operation for bring*
iug communal harmony and for crushing hooliganism. But the initia-
tiv(‘ and invitation must come from the Government and they must he
real and sincere. We who are in the Opposition euii only offer suggestion
and advice. It is they who cun implement them. Theirs is (he ultiinule
duty and ultimate responsibilit> .
Mr, D, CLADDING: Ma> 1 have u few minutes, SirK The l/cader
ol the 0])positioii has taken the ojiportunity of reviewing the situation and
making a most valuable appeal for coiiceiitrutou on restoring peace. 1
wish to associate myself with his request for strong action by the police.
There should be ruthless and indiscriminate rounding up of the goondns
that still seem to be at large. 1 also associate myself with what be has said
about the Press. I think that, among the other things, a personal appeal
should be made to the editors of newspapers to pull their weight in the
common endeavour to restore peace, and to avoid proven^ative language. I
am glad that Mr. Roy lias made, on this last day of (;ur session, these
pointa and this appeal.
TIm Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: Sir, i uij^ labouring under
this disadvantage that 1 have not had the privilege of seeing the state-
ment of the Hon'ble the l^eader of the Opposition liefore it was delivered
iu this House. It is tlierefore quite possible, Sir, that I may not be able
to refer to all the points that he has raised with that clarity or detail with
which I should have liked to have eonimented upon these points and given
the views of Goverunient u[h)d them. I had been taking notes while he
was speaking. I will refer to such of them as 1 have been able to note in
my note-bo^.
The Hon’ble the Leader of the Op|KM»itiou has referred to the situation
in East Bengal and in varioms parts of the country. Sir, Government are
fully aware of the situation ana all the District Gfficers and Subdivisional
Offi^rs are alive to the situation. Not one of them has been granted leave
during the Pujas and everyone of them is required to stay at his post. The
Police equally are all up and doing and 1 hope that untoward incident will
not hapnen. Bnt undoubtedly there is no use denying this fact that the
responuoUity for keeping the^ situation quiet and peaceful does not rest
wdely on Government, but also rests on the representatives of the people^
.84
statement by MR. K. S. ROY.
m
[ 28 th Sept.,
(iov«ruiueut will do its bout aud strain its utmost energies to keep the
peace and to put down disorder, but the main thing is that disorder should
not rear its head at all. It is very little use after disorder has shown iii
head to try and put it down. That certainly Government will do, but il
will be a far, far better thing if we were to take steps which would proven i
any disorder from arising. I should refer to this, Sir, again towards the
end of what 1 shall have to say. 1 do not agree with the statement of the
Hon’ble the J reader of the Opposition that this situation has passed out oi
the hands of tJie political leaders and now' has been taken up by the goonda^
of both the communities. 1 do not think so. Sir. 1 think that if we conti-
nue to show real endeavour to try and bring about peace and not utter
provocative language, everybody will realise that we are sincere in oui
efforts to kee^j the peace and that we must give uj) all talks of revenge and
want of forgiveness and so on. 1 shall refer to this again in anotbei
connection.
J am glad, Sir, that the Leader of the Opposition bus appreciated the
spirit of the stUtement which 1 made calling for peace f>u the 26th ^ptem-
her. i assure tlie House iliut that was issued by me in an agony of spirit.
I cannot understand this insensate stabbing ot inurnment people. It is no
advantage to anybody, it is not going to bring either Pakistan or Hindus-
thun nearer. This is not u political fight that is being waged. Some
people think that by killing a Muslim they have a(*hieved or come nearer
Ilindusthun or that u Muslim thinks tliut if lie kills a Hindu, he has done
something to further i^ikistun. 1 <lo not believe that that is so. It is
not possiTde that murder of these unfortunate jieople who are going about
in order to earn a precarious liveliluMMl in this dangerous city — their murder
will have such enormous politii'al repureus.-.ioiis. jt is, therefore, Sir, I
appeal to all to cease this brutality.
I do hope that the Hoii’hle Jicader ot the Opposition us well as other
Hindu leaders will also bring alamt similar appeals to their Hindu com-
patriots aud we shall undertake, Sir, to have them translated and circulated
throughout Calcutta aud throughout Bengal along with my appeal so that
everybody should know that all of us stand together and all of us want this
warfare to cease.
Sir, reference has been made to the manuer in which the Police are
taking steps to keep down the disturbances. The old svsteni of Control
limmi has been (diaiiged for the establishment of u certain number of
‘’bases” whieb are culled ’‘firm huvses” consisting ot armed indice and
unarmed police and also a large number of pickets scattered in dangerous
places and also a number of moliile parties on motor ears as well as on foot.
This is Indug ilone, hut it is obviously impossible to cope with the stabbing
inside the lane or somewhere in the midst ol the iTowd where no one can
see who has done the mischief. 1 shall be only tin) happy if the statement
made by the Ijeader ol the Opposition leads to even more drastic action on
the part of the police, 1 assure you, Sir, that from our side instructions
have gone forth over aud above that there shall be no tenderness as against
miscreants but every one should realise that it is not often that miscreants
can 1)6 arrested on the spot and steps are taken by the police in almost every
case which is reported to them. It is made after the incident, but this much
is certain that no incident is allowed to puss unnoticed and the police imme-
diately proceed to that spot and take wiiatever steps they can to round up
those persons who are likely to have done the mischief. I also agree with
the Hon’ble leader of the Opposition regarding postings of officers of both
the oommunities as much as possible. That is a policy which I adopted
as soon as we assumed office, namely, that there should be a proper level
of officers in every area. That has o^n done; I cannot say that that h|ks
been done, but that is being done and postings are made keeping this in
view. It is difficult to make ^eral p^ings or general transfers of all
officers but as occasion arises this policy is kept in view and postings are
made accordingly.
1945.1
TNT UTN. li. S. ROT. S«ft
The Leader of the OEipoeition has referred to a iiuinWr of new faoM
having been seen. Well, Sir, I have heard this rejwrt as well fri)ni both
sides and there are very serious reports to the effet^t that a uum^r of
persons have been imported from outside, T shall not say by which nartv.
T fear that it is largely due to panic on either side that old faces ^gin
to appear like new faces but certainly the Int4»lligeiU‘e Officers of th«
Government are out and they will no doubt re]wrt auy influx of new faces.
As the Leader of the Op}K>sition has brought this Wfore us I shall (certainly
pass on this suggestion once more to the (Commissioner of Police and to the
Intelligence Department so that steps may he taken in that regard.
Sir, the Leader of the Opposition has referred in very, strong terms to
i stories of abduction of a large number of women. The lerins are very
Strong, too strong, in my opinion, for the occasion. iHM'au.se they tend to
keep alive the spirit of revenge whicli I hope he would (‘onsider his duty
to smother. We have been receiving rejwrts from PasI HeTigul n*garding
various incidents which have taken place, and if the Leader of the Opposi-
tion will read the comments up(»n those reports, read suhsenuenl notices
regarding tho.sc reports, subse<|ucnt lVe.s.s reports issued hy Government
after pro|>er cmpiirv, he will find that most <»f those repf^rts are either false
<ir exaggerated. They are largels due to panic; the\ are largely due to
the kind of panh* that overt<»ok (Calcutta even during those days 'vhen the
])oliee eontiiiued to receive reports regarding assaults or .illeged asiaults
or intended assaults, .sent police parties and found not (hat there had been
any assaults but that there was not the likelihood even »>f any assault and
that report had been sent nut in the hope that the police would come to
a particular area. I am, fheref<»re, unable t«» agree with the Leader of
the Opposition that there had been a large mimher of cases (d abduction
of women. Nobody, Sir, in this House or outside who has the slightest
sense of responsibility will ever ene<»uragc or do anything hut strongly
condemn the aluluction of women ot any <oinmunitv. That i.s a matter
which brings down human In'ings to the level of beasts and 1 have no doubt
that all of tis here on both sides of the House will take whatever steps m’c
possibly can to see that if this evil exists it is smothered and stopped and
the evil-doers arc hroughi to examplnrv and deterrent justice. I hope that
when the reprcfwmtatives of this House will go hack to their various areas,
they W’ill apiwal to the members of their respective corrnnnnities to sec
that this at least does not take place.
Along with this I w'ould like to refer also to the Puju celehnitions. 1
think it will he a calamity of the first order if there is an interferiujce with
the celebration of this religious ob.servanee of the HimluH I do earnestly
ref}ueai the Muslim community (<» < uih its enthusiiiHui - if it has any inten-
tion of creating disturbance — I am sure it has not— hut f would like to go
further. Let us be quite frank across the table since the honourable the
fieader of the Opposition has been farnk witli us. Hu fortunately during
the*M 3 pujas incidents do take place which provc»ke either one community
>r the other. Tncidente do take place when Hindu music-hearers insist on
banding their instruments a little too loud when they approach the mojapie.
Incidents have also taken place — I hope there is no truth in it. — that some
urehine have demolished some muxjtan — fortunately not so atrocious in
form — which have not yet been revived. Sir. let us stop these. To the
Mnslims I would say that even if the Hindus do go out to provoke in, what
may be termed, a cbildisb manner, please be not prov«>ked and do not
provoke them,; keep yourselves in patience: your honour and your wifety
]« not endangered by these little things. The Muslim nation will still be
a great nation even though it is defi^ in some jdaces by a rnischievoui
spirit. I think we shall still be greater if we only know how to control
omelves and if we can make our mind to see that we shall not be provoked
and nothing can provoke us. We are at the present moment sitting over a
gunpowder, and as a matter oMaH we were in Calcutia in the midst of a
coniagration, but we cannot afford to take now the sliglitest risks. To the
870
STATEMENT BY MB. K. S. BOY.
[28th Shpt.,
Hindus I do beg and pray that they too will conduct their puja celebrations
S such a manner that they should realise that side by side with ^em also
Hve another people that cannot join them in the puja celebrations, and
that they might also carry on their own celebrations in their own way
without tempting the Muslims. I entirely endorse the appeal of the
Ijeader of the Opposition that when the leaders from here go back, they
should get t(>gether and eveiywhere go about in peace parties and in peace
processions, and I am certain that in most places, if not in all, we shall
succeed in Ibriuging about an atmosphere of harmony. Take the case of
Calcutta where the peace work is still going; in spite of the incidents which
are taking place here and there, Calcutta as a whole is quiet and refuses to be
incited by these incidents of violence. I am sure that if w'e were to conti-
nue in this manner, if we were to adopt the same process elsewhere outside^
in Bengal, east and west, we shall be able to relieve the tension and make
the people realise that it is necessary that we should live together in peace
and in harmony.
Now, Sir, before I finish, I would like to say something regarding news-
papers. Who wishes to gag newspapers or to black out authentic news‘r*
but if the news is presented in a form which provokes one section of the
people against another, I think it is the duty of Government to take steps
to stop it (Cries of “Certainly'* from the Government benches.) 1 do not
call it gagging of the press; T do not call it blacking out: T say if the
faf;ts are to be presented, they should be presented in an authentic form : 1
will take stock of the manner in which rei)ort.s have been presented, and
what do I findP I find that the Hindu newspapers now go to the extent of
stressing the fact that more Hindus have been killed than Muslims. Those
papers are read by the Hindus and what effect has it on the Hindu commu-
nity P — retaliation. In order to give a colouring to the statement they
give the names of the persons who have been assaulted. I checked them
against the police reports and I found that the Muslim names had been
left out. There has been some consolation somewhere if the public can see
that the assault of one place has been squared uj). It stresses that one
community is being assaulted and not tlie other, and the next day the
reverse takes place. And the same with the Muslim newspapers. The
Muslim newspapers are stressing over and over again that only Muslims
are being assaulted and their papers are read by the Mu.slims and the same
H’taliation follows. All this has got to W stopped. I gave a chance to
the newspapers to heal themselves. I called a Press conference day before
yesterday, and I hope that they will revise their policy, that they would
not mention whether it was a Hindu or a Muslim that was assaulted or the
areas or the Iwulities. Some say that it was the intention of Government
^ hlack-nut news from East Bengal, — perfectly ridiculous! We have no
intention of blacking out news but we refuse to allow the newspapers to
represent eases iu such a way that there is that .spirit of retaliation which
eventually arises. The news will be printed and the hx‘ality will be there —
only the name of the subdivision in East Ben^l or elsewhere but there will
be no indication who is attacking whom. We have got to stop this, T
firmly believe that if we bring about peace iu Calcutta, the tension in East
Bengal will cease; but so lon^ as the tension continues in Calcutta and
the stabbings go qu, the tension will continue in East Bengal and there-
fore, for Calcutta itself I am going to be very particular. This has got to
stop. I am afraid that my request to the new8pa|>ers which was coupled
witn a warning has pfone unhe^ed and I fear that Government have got
to take steps. I consider it my very important duty to do so and I do hope
that the members of the public will support me in it and I do hope also
that the press will realise that I am doing this in the best interest of the
l^ple of the province. It is no advanti^ to Oovemment to take steps
like this. We are up against a very important section, via., the press,
that may take a different view, but I consider this my sacred duty Mid this
kind ol presentation has got to stop. We shall watch Uie situation aftei*
1946.]
govehnmext bills. m
the orders are Wued. It tW uiuation i» teVie'ied, \» eawd, Qo^erainMkt'^
Will witnnraw those orders at ttie earliest posaime ^
eannot take auy further risks.
Wlft BIMAL COMAR CHOSE* Only news, whul almui edilorialsF
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: (Toverumeut is (pong to
take step.". I ugriM*. the editorials that ineite one seetioii against the <dher
will l>e seroiislv taken notiee of and I hope that the.se remarks whieh have
eoine Irom the OjipoHition are in support of (foverinnenl. I warn you that
we are going 1(» take steps, we are going to prosecute, we will ask for (H‘eu*
rities. we shall suspend newspapers. Thin incitement has g^ot to st^ip and
I ask ami F demand your support in this lielialf.
I am sorry that the situation is not such that you ami 1 can sit togt»ther
ill the same (^ihinet room, hut wi‘ ^aii both of us iHwform our duties sepa-
rately, even though we are not in the t’ahiiiet, for tlie preservation of |)eaee.
T say that if (lovernment has a responsihility, so luive the representative?!
»tf the pt'ople in their individual eapmdty and as jmrtie^ ~ tliosc who suptuii'i
the Government and those who are against the (hivernmeni - and all puolie
institutions have this responsibility.
T make an appeal io the Ii«*a(ler of the Opposition, an appeal whi(#i
1 am certain he will resjamd to. T*et us. hotli of us. all <d us. bend our
eiUTgies *^ioni now. hencef(oth, to the task of hiinglng about piMU'e, Let
vonr jieople and onr people, all go out within (’alcutia and throughoiH
Heiigal preaching this one message that we have got to live together and
there must lie peace in Bengal.
I hope that tomorrow the Tauider of the Opposititui and myself ami eer-
tain members from both sides of the House will go (o l)a<'ca to see the
situation there and t<i see it we luiniiot start from there and bring peace
amongst the warring section^. Fad ns pra\ that oni ollort'- there will be
crowned with suecess and when we come hack from then*. I liopi* that the
Ficader of tlie Op[)ositi<ui and myself shall gel t4)gether and devise Home
means and some pr<K‘edure by which this proci'ss of oimh can be contirnied
until peax’c is restored in Bengal.
Mr. PR0VA8 CHANDRA LAHIRI: Sii. may I )»oint out one word
in this conneclion?
Mr. 8PEAKER: No, I cannot allow disiussion,
Mr. PR0VA8 CHANDRA LAHIRI: About the bicaking oi Dmga
images in some parts of Bengal T wish to speak .something.
Mr. 8PEAKER; No
Authentication of 8chodul«.
Tho Hon1l>lo Mr. MOHAMMED ALI: Sir. in iiuisuame of .suh^seetion
(2) of sci’tion 8tt of the Government of India Act ol llhk'i. I beg to lay
Imfore tile AH»eiiihl\ the schedule of authorised expemlitme for 194047
autheuturated by the .signature of His F)xcelleuc\ the tlovciiuir under sub-
section (1) thereof.
GOVERNMENT BILL8.
Tho GtloutU Disturtiafioos Commifoion of Enquiry Bill, 1848.
Tho'Honlrto Mr. H. 8. 8UMRAWAR0Y: Sir, I Wjn to nujve that the
Calcutta Diaturbances Cominiiwion of Km|iiiry Bill» 194f). us passed by the
Bengal I^gialative Council lie taken into coriHulerafion.
Sir, I am inclined to believe that all sides of the House wfdcome the
fact that a Commiiiaiou of Enquiry has been appointed. We have examined
the law very carefully. The matter has been di^tenstu'd in another Houiu*
and I wieh to tell this Houee that none othei than the Government of
m
OOTEBNMENT BILLS.
[2SrH S«h*.
B«&gfkl btttl the coiupeteutie to appoiut tlii» Commissiou of Enquiry. We
done our best and I am glad to find that it has been agreed that the
personnel (»f the Commission is so far above criticism that everybodv must
have confidence in its findings. »So far as the Government of Bengal itself
is concerned, I have assured in another place and I wish to asswe you
here that we think that the procedure of taking evidence and what is done
or what is not done are entireljr in the hands of the Hon’ble Chief Justice
of India. We are not at all interested in it and none of the papers and
docuracnts presented before that Commission will ever find its way to the
Government of Bengal. That is a matter which is entirely confidential
and will be secret so far as they are concerned.
I hope that ibis House will take this Bill into consideration and pass
it as soon as possible so that we can start on it.
T wish to state here that in response to all sections of the House we have
enlarged the territorial jurisdiction of the Commission by changing suburbs
which is a technical term to “neighbourhood”. If the Commission so
wishes, it (uin allow persons living near about Calcutta t^ be able to place
their grievances before the (commission. Also the resolution itself has
been amended by specifically including therein the police-stations of
MatiabniS!, Tollygungc and the municipality of Howrah. It was not
necessary to do so because it would have <*overed them, but we have done
that specifically in the resolution so that there may be no doubt about it
at all. T hope that this meets the wishes of all seetions of the House.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: May I, Sir. through you, ask
the Chief Minister whether it will ineliide any portion of the Howrah
district other than the municipality of Howrah?
TN Hofi’bie Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: My view, Sir, is this that
us we have put in “neighbourhood”, other portions of Howrah district will
also come into the picture, but I think that should remain witli the Chief
Justice in so far as he considers that it is relevant to his enquiry. For
instance, we would not like to go 25 miles out or 20 miles out of C^ulcutta
where an incident might have taken ])lace because it will have very little
reference or relevancy to enquire regarding affairs in (hilciitta and its
neighbourhood. I ha\e uo doubt. Sir, that iueidents taking jdace round
about Calcutta or Howrah will he taken into consideration — incidents
such as taking place in Bully, Belur, etc,
Mr. SySIL KUMAR BANERJEE: Will it include Bally also? Bally
is not within Howrah municipality.
Tht Mr. H. f 8UHRAWARDY: I think it would be, bat I
would leave it to the (2iief .lusti«'e (»f India rather than try to give a
definition on the fioor of the House.
Mr. DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: Bally is on the other side of the
river Ganges. I am afraid that the expre.ssion “neighbourhood of
Calcutta” may not include any portion of Bally and Uttarpara. It will
be letter if there is a resolution eovering Bally, Cftarnara and other places
in the expression “neighbourhood of Calcutta”.
TIm Honlllt Mr. H. 8. 8yHRAWARDY: Since it is in the neighbour-
hood of Calcutta T think it will \w included. I would rather not go to the
extent of making an amendment, because the Bill lias to go through this
House and it has got to l»e publishad us soon as possible. T hope the
Hottse will rely on the sense of justice and proportion and fairness of the
Commission itself in accepting what is the relevant suhjeet-matter of
enquiry.
Mn DHIRENDRA NATH DATTA: I appeal to the Chief Minister
so to amend the Bill by a resolution as to cover Bally, TTttarpara,
Baranagor and other places. It would he better if this is done, so tbat
1946 .].
UOVEHJJliliN’r BlLliS.
in
, )kim areas cau be distiuctly covereil. Sir, 1 am a lawyer and 1 am afraid
tbat unless this is done the Chief Justice of India may interpret the ex*
pression “neighbourhood of Calcutta" iu a different way altogether. 80 |
i think, Sir, it would he uiueh InUter to have a resolution so as to make
clear Ooverniueiit’s intention that these areas will be covered by the
expression “neighbourhood of Calcutta*’.
Tha Honllla Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: I shall lake that into con-
sideration. I hope the Leader of the Oppositiou will make suggestions to
me, and I am certain that if he will meet me 1 will do what is possible.
Mr. GANEKORA CHANDRA BH ATTACH AR4EE: Hbm imn, 4l
»P1C# C^, Daccati diHturbanee wtTt *0 I ('hiof Minister
vfv Dacca disturliance »ni« enquiry I etfl Dacca!
disturbancel??! wtj:® ijt C!, 4!t
complaint C! a section of and a .s<Htiou of Police fC!
Mr. SPEAKER: Tlii> Hill reters to the dislurhanccs in the town of
Calcutta ami the iieiglilMiurhood tit Calcutta.
Mr. CANENDRA CHAHORA BHATTACHARJEE: I knou that,
but 1 would up|K‘ul to the Cluet Minister tti apiioiiit .motlier Knqiiiry
ComniLssiou for Data a oi, il {lo.-nsihlc, to c\teii<! tlie junsilieiion ol tlie
present CommiH.sioii so as to no hole Dacca also.
Mr. MUHAMMAD I8RAIL: Tlierc i.s aiicioiy a Dacca Uiots Kn((uiry
' Committee, llcsidcs, .Sir, the Lender of the Ojijiosition stated the other
day that it was no use having any Uiots Liiquiiy Committee.
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. 1 sniil, it in iieitliiT linr nor tiifn-.
Th. Hon’bl. Mr. H. S. 8UHRAWAR0Y: Sn. (liU is a matter regard-
ing Dacca. I do not think that it is relevant to the subject-matter of dis-
cussion hy this Commission. Hut .nince the matter has hccii mooted I shall
certainly consider whethei it will he necessary to do h<» or not. 1 urn not
prepared at tlic present moment to give any opinion on the subject.
Mr. NIHAREHDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, coming ncaier home
the urea of the Harunagor Municipality adjoining ('alciitta has also lieeu
the scent* of certain imidenlN a^ .in integral pari of the (/ulcutta dis-
turbances, and also Duin Dum. These are within the Hurrackpore sub-
division of the 24-Parganas district. 1 <lo not see, Sir, why Dum Dum
municipal area and Huramigoi munieipal urea adjoining Calcutta which
‘ nre us gmul as integral parts nt the larger area of (’alcntla lihould not bo
included. Will the Chief Minister be pleased to assure that steps will bo
taken to bring those areas within the purview' of the Commission, liecause
those areas being imjiortant labour areas are likely to he inflammable if
the communal virus spreads there!'' it is with very great difficulty and
a stroke of good luck that those labour areas have tieeu kept free very
largely from any large s<'ule ineidents.
Tbn Hoil’bli Mr. H. S. SUHRAWARDY: 1 have already state<l tliai
if the Ijeader of the Op(x>sition makes suggestions to me I shall certainly
try to meet them. There is one thing 1 would like to say. Baranagor is
just on. the border oi Calcutta. If that is not neighbourhood 1 soonld
like to know what neighbourhood is,
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Since you have mentionad
Howrah which is a separate distn<*t, there is a danger of Bally, Bara-
nafftw, etc., adjoining toXalcntta not being included by the ComnillMieii
unless specifically mentioned.
374
GOVEENMliNT BILLS.
I'ken, Sir, I Have got a few observationB to make with regard to tl
announoement of the Commis«ioii. 1 have nothing to say against t
penionneJ of the Commission or its staff.
Mn SPEAKER: The question of personnel is not open to discussh
before this House. The Bill does not mention the name of the Preside
or the other members of the Commission.
Mf, NIHARENDU DUTT«MAZUMDAR: As the enabling Bill giv
the Commission a status, this arises, Sir, incidentally
Mr. SPEAKER: I rlon’t think so. You can speak on the clauses
the Bill but not on the personnel.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMOAR: Can 1 not speak about tl
appointment of the personnel?
Mr. SPEAKER: No.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Sir, while empowerii
(fovernmeut by this Bill to appoint a Commission and give it the status <
a High Court in order to make the investigation it is essential to see th
in exercising these ])owers Government should take every possible step
ensure that no one on the staff of the Commission should be a person subo
dinate to the Bengal Government in any way. In order to ensure tl
status of the Commission as a High Court and in order to ensure complei
independence of the working of the Commission from Government it
essential that all jieoplo including such persons appointed as Secretarh
who are not at^tually members of the Commission shoulil be peop
altogether independent of the Bengal Government.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: That does not arise out i
eouHideratiou of the clauses. That may arise when 1 move that the Bi
as settled in the Assembly be passed.
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr, Dutt-Mazumdar, you are making a suggestio
to Government. J think the profier time for that will be when the thir
reading is moved,
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: Very well, Sir.
The motion of the llou'lde Mi. II. S. Suliiuwardy that the Culcutt
Di.MturbaiieeH t 'oinmissioii td Kin|uirv Bill, BGf), la* taken into comsideraiioi
was then put and agreed to.
Clause 1.
The question that clause 1 .stand part of the Bill was then put an
agreed to.
Clause 2.
The question that clause 2 stand part of the Bill was then put an
agreed to.
Clause 3.
The question that clause d stand part of the Bill was then put an
agreed to.
^ Preamble.
The question that the l*reainhle stand part of the Bill was then put an
agreed to.
Hit H8^ Mr. H. t. tUHRAWARDY: Sir, 1 to move that tl
Qaloutta XHaturbancee Oommiaeion of Enquiry Bill, 194n, as settled in U
Auemblyt be paiaed.
GOYEBNMEOT BILLS,
m
Mr* NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: I would now inTiie the
attention of the Hon’ble the Chief Minister to the suggestion which I made
when the Bill was at the consideration stage, namely, that I should like
the Hon’ble the Chiet Minister to assure the House that he will take every
p^ihle step in connection with the setting up of the Commission of
Enquiry — its personnel and its stuff, and that those persons alone, who w'ill
be unquestionably independent of the (rovernment of Bengal, should be
appointed and competent to serve in conuwtion with this Commission on
its staff.
The Hon’ble Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDY: 1 had given that assurance
time and again. The Secretary of (he ( omniissitm is a member of the
Indian Civil Service of the Bengal cadre. He was chosen by the Chief
Justice himself in consultation with the (iovernor of Bengal when I was
away at Bombay. Since then he ha.s eoniplelely passed out of our control,
and the Ministry has nothing to do nith (he papers and dcM'uments that
are in his custody. I ha\e given the ussuraiiee time and again that we ore
not interested in those jiajiers, we are not asking for those paiK*rs, and
those papers will not be shown to us, ex(‘e|)t those which the ('JommisHioii
in the eourse ot the discharge ot its duto's may choose to do so. The
Secretary is an officer ot uninipeaehahle integrity, honest.\ and capacity
and I Lave not the leu.st doubt that the work ot the t'oiuiiiission will Im
done satisfactorily undei his giiitlaiice with all the honest \ and sincerity
as reijuiied for tlie discharge of such an important duty
Mr. BIMAL CHANDRA 8INHA: The llmi hle Chief Minister hp
given symputlietie ((msiderat ion to our .suggestioim. Tliere is a certain
amount oi misunderstanding, 1 may say misgivings, in the mind of a
certain section of (h(‘ public, namely, that certain papiTs in (‘onnection
with tile Kiiquiiy (aimmisHion are now- depocitetl in the Alipore Collec-
torate. Will the H<urhlc the Chief Minister he pleased to clear these
misgivings by removing them* papers and ilocunienls from the Alipore
( aillectorate to Belvedere ^
The Hon*bl6 Mr. H. 8. 8UHRAWARDy: H that is the case I have
not heard any such thing. I am not taking the slightest interest in what
the ('ouimissioii is doing. I will certainly get my t'hief S<*cretury to pass
on the suggestion of the honourable inemher to the Secretary of the Enquiry
Commission.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: ] am glad that the Hnn’bW
the Chief Mini.ster has given us the ussuraiiee. I have to remind him of
one fact. This Commission is going to he saddled
Mr. 8PEAKER : You had your chance before. If you dilate in thh»
way it will not be possible to proceed with the business of the House.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: 1 have an observation to
make. Sir.
Mr. 8PE AKERS Tes, you have made all your observations.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: 1 do not wish to make a
speech. ,J want to say something ulnmi the functions of the Commission.
It is a very important point, Sir.
Mr. 8PEAKER: I cannot allow such a dialogue between members.
Mr. NIHARENDU OUTT-MAZUMDARs I wish to speak on the
functions of the Commission. It is a very imjiortant point, Bir. In a
very critical situation the Commission is being set up.
IM) GOVEENMEKT BILLS. I2»ra
Mr» iPEAlCER: Mr. Dutt-Mazumdar, please finisli it in one sentence,
I cannot allow this. When the Bill was under discussion you had your
chance to speak all your points. I cannot allow members to speak three
times, four times on a suDject.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: It is the privilege of every
member of the House
Mr. SPEAKER: It is not a question of privilege, but the question pf
procedure. Mr. Dutt-Masumdar, you are an experienced parliamentarian
and you ought to know that a member cannot speak more than once on a
particular question.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: T will make a very shoH
speech.
Mr. SPEAKER: It is not a nuestion (»f short speech or long speech.
It is a question of jirocedure whetlicr a member is entitled to speak more
than once.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: I have not epoken. You
will find, Sir, that under the rule a member is entitled to put questions
relevant to the subject.
Mr. SPEAKER: And you had your chance. You have spoken at least
twice.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: I did not speak. I want
to speak. In the course of an Hon'ble Minister’s speech, a member is
entitled to put questions relevant on the subj(‘et. That is provided in the
rule.
Mr. SPEAKER: You are making a speech.
Mr. NIHARENDU DUTT-MAZUMDAR: I am sorry, Sir, I am having
had to argue with you on this point, and that is taking more time than
my say would have taken. T wish to impress upon the (Government that
it is not enough that this Commission should do justice in relation to the
points that are going to be placed before it, but it is also necessary tliat the
peo]de should be made to feel that justice is being done, and for that pur-
pose that the public may be made to feel that justice has been done the
Hon'ble the Chief Minister w^ll he pleased to remove any misgivings or
grievances that may arise in their mind, and will take every possible step
not to give the slightest cause of complaint on the part of the public
because as a result of this En(]uiry' Commission it is essential that old
sores must be healed,
Mr. AiDUL KARIM; On a point of order, Sir. The Hon’ble Chief
Minister has already given bis reply to the disimssions on the Bill. Is it
pertinent for a member to make a speech when the Chief Minister is not
in a position to reply?
Mr. SPEAKER: Mr. I)utt-Mazumdar, please resume your seat.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. H. S. Suhrawardy that the Calcutta
Disturbances Commission of Enquiry Bill, 1W6, as settled in the Assembly
be passed, was then put a»d agreed to.
Tfi« MvrthiiliiNMl BiH, 1MB.
Tilt HwiIiIb Mr. BAIYED MUAZZAMUDOIN HOtAIN: Sir, I beg
to move that the Murshidabad Bill, 1946, as passed by the Council be taken
into oonsiilmtion.
Sir, tide is a small Bill. Hitherto the praotioe in IfnnhidabakB
family hm bean that the Mawab Bahadur’s eliM son inherits all hii
BlUAi wmi
profi^y alter his demise. Now, it has been found neoemry thah iosie
pnkvwon should be made for his younger children and witli that ohje#
in view this Bill is introduced. It is necessary that the presage of
the children of the Nawab Bahadur should lie maintained. This BiU
naaped through both the Houses of the l^egisluture during the last s^oii,
^t owing to the fact that a slight change was made by tne Council it was
instnmed to the Assembly for its consent. In the meantime, Sir, section 93
t iterrened and that is why the BiU could not pass through this House.
he only change made in the Bill wus that in place of “sons and daughters**
|t shotild be “legitimate sons and daughters'^ I think it is a very wel-
come change which the House will certainly accept, and pass the Bill«
There is no amendment, which indicates that the House has every sym*
Ipathy with the provisions of the Bill.
With these words I commend the BiU to the acceptance of the House.
The motion of the Hon’ble Mr. Saiyed Muassamuddin Hosain that the
Murshidabad Bill, 194(), as passed by the Conmdi he taken into considera-
tion, was then put and agreed to.
Clause 1,
The question that clause 1 stand part of the Bill was then put and
agreed to.
(■lause 2,
The question that clause 2 stand part of the BiU was then put and
agreed to.
Clause 3,
The question that clause •{ stand part of the Bill was then put and
agreed to.
Clame 4.
The question that clause 4 stand part of the Bill, was then put and
agreed to.
CUsuse 3.
The question that clause 5 stand pari of the Bill, was then put and
agreed to.
Clause 6.
The question that clause 0 stand part of the Bill, was then put and
agreed to.
PrenmhU.
The question that the Preamble stand part of the BiU, was then put and
agreed to.
The Hon’Me Mr. SAIYED MUAZIAMUDDIN HOSAINs Sir, I beg
tx) move that the Murshidabad Bill, 1946, as settled in the Assembly
be passed.
4 Mr. OHIREMORA MATH DATTA: Sir, in rising to speak on the
ttird reading of this Bill I have nothing more to soy than “fttfjflilCf gin:*'
{laughter).
' The motion of the Hon'ble Mr. Saiyed Muassamuddin Hosain that
tte Murshidabad Bill, 1946, as settled in the Assembly be passed, was
^en put and agreed to.
RforgfillPfu
Mr* SRiAKIRl I have it in command from His Excellency the
^remcr that the BengaL LegislatiTe Assembly do now stand prorogued.
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